PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Catherine A McCarty

Publications and source records attributed to Catherine A McCarty.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Informed consent and subject motivation to participate in a large, population-based genomics study: the Marshfield Clinic Personalized Medicine Research Project.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to measure subject perspective and reaction to participation in the Personalized Medicine Research Project (PMRP) and to identify factors predicting understanding of the study elements. METHOD: Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 1,593 subjects (10% sample). The questionnaire had three sections: section A consisted of 21 factual questions; section B consisted of 14 questions to assess the level of understanding about the PMRP concepts, and section C asked about the purpose of the PMRP. RESULTS: The mean age of the 924 survey respondents was 52 years (SD = 16.9), with a range of 18-95 years. The majority of participants were female (n = 561, 61%). The percent of total correct responses for section A was significantly higher for females compared with males (males: 58.4% and females: 60.4%, t test = -2.18, p = 0.03) and age was significantly inversely related to percent of correct responses (beta coefficient = -0.122, p < 0.001). More than one third of the participants indicated that the USD 20 greatly influenced their decision to participate in the project. In a multiple logistic regression model, people living outside of Marshfield were significantly more likely to indicate that the USD 20 greatly influenced their decision to participate (odds ratio = 1.40, 95% confidence limit = 1.06, 1.86) and age was inversely related to the monetary influence on decision to participate (odds ratio = 0.98, 95% confidence limit = 0.97, 0.98). CONCLUSION: Future community consultation efforts should highlight areas of lower understanding. In addition, research coordinators may need to take more time informing males and older individuals about project details so that they are making truly informed decisions about study participation.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Development of cataract and associated risk factors: the Visual Impairment Project.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for the development of cataract in Australian residents. METHODS: A total of 3721 participants from 9 randomly selected urban districts within Victoria were recruited and invited to attend comprehensive standardized interviews and ophthalmic examinations at baseline and then 5-year follow-up. Lens opacities were graded clinically and on photographs according to the Wilmer cataract grading system. The development of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataract were assessed separately for associated risk factors. Risk exposure at baseline was used as the predictor for cataract development, which included various sociodemographic, dietary, familial, medical, and ocular characteristics of the participants. Risk factor analyses were performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Increased age was a risk factor for development of all types of cataract with an increasing risk trend throughout life for nuclear cataract. Female sex, a laborer's occupation, and myopia were independent risk factors for development of cortical cataract. For development of nuclear cataract, the independent risk factors were having a birthplace outside Australia and New Zealand, current cigarette smoking, and having a history of arthritis. Diabetes mellitus and having taken calcium channel blockers for longer than 5 years were independent risk factors for posterior subcapsular cataract. CONCLUSIONS: The trend of increasing incidence of cataract with increased age is a major public health concern with an aging population in Australia and the world. Among the risk factors identified, cigarette smoking is a factor that is readily modifiable and preventable. The other risk factors identified require further support or clarification of underlying mechanisms to find modifiable features.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Apolipoprotein (APOE) gene is associated with progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, was followed in a cohort of 238 individuals from a single center. Individuals with an epsilon (epsilon)2 genotype (c.526C>T of reference sequence NM_000041.2) of the apolipoprotein (APOE) gene were found to be strongly associated with disease with a significant 4.8-fold increased relative risk compared to individuals with an epsilon4 genotype (c.388T>C of reference sequence NM_000041.2) (odds ratio [OR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-19.09) and a nearly significant three-fold increased relative risk compared to individuals with an epsilon3 genotype (reference sequence NM_000041.2) (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 0.96-19.09). This finding was present only in females who progressed with AMD, which suggests that there may be a gender-specific role in progression of AMD in individuals with an epsilon2 allele. A gender-related factor is therefore implicated either directly or indirectly in the AMD disease process.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2006

Lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of cataract: the Melbourne visual impairment project.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract with dietary intake of lutein-zeaxanthin (LZ) in a population-based sample. METHODS: For the study, 3271 (83% of the eligible residents) permanent residents aged > or =40 years were recruited in 1992 to 1994 via a cluster random sampling. In 1997 to 1999, 2594 (79%) attended the follow-up examination including lens photography, a life-style questionnaire, and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Cases were those with cortical opacity > or =4/16, nuclear opacity grade > or =2.0, or PSC opacity > or =1 mm2. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios for cataract by daily LZ intake, or its quintile indicator with the lowest quintile as the baseline category, controlling for energy-adjusted fat intake and variables previously found to be associated with the cataract outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 2322 participants who attended the follow-up survey and completed the FFQ, 1841 (79%), 1955 (84%), and 1950 (84%) were included in the analyses of cortical, nuclear, and PSC cataract, respectively. There were 182 (9.9%), 387 (19.8%), and 177 (9.1%) cases for cortical, nuclear, and PSC cataract, respectively. Cortical and PSC cataract were not significantly associated with LZ intake. For nuclear cataract the odds ratios were 0.67 (0.46-0.96) and 0.60 (0.40-0.90) for every 1-mg increase in crude and energy-adjusted daily LZ intake, respectively. The odds ratios (95% CI) for those in the top quintile of crude LZ intake was 0.58 (0.37-0.92; P = 0.023 for trend), and it was 0.64 (0.40-1.03) for energy adjusted LZ intake (P = 0.018 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: This study found an inverse association between high dietary LZ intake and prevalence of nuclear cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and associations of epiretinal membranes in the visual impairment project.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with epiretinal membranes in a random sample of the population aged 40 years and older in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Detailed eye examinations, including retinal photographs, were conducted in 1992 and 1997 in 3271 people (83% of the eligible) in Melbourne and 1473 (92% of the eligible) in rural Victoria. Eyes present with either cellophane macular reflex (CMR) or preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF) were classified as having epiretinal membranes. Eyes with both CMR and PMF present were classified as having PMF. Age-standardized prevalence rates and 95% confidence limits were calculated by the direct methods using Segi's world population. RESULTS: Epiretinal membranes were observed in 253 of 4313 participants (6.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.2 to 6.7), bilaterally in 19%. Prevalence increased significantly by age group (0.5% for 40 to 49 years, 2.6% for 50 to 59 years, 9.4% for 60 to 69 years, 15.1% for 70 to 79 years, and 11.3% for 80 years and older). Prevalence was similar in males and females after adjusting for age. The overall age- and gender-standardized prevalence of CMR was 4.8% (95% CI 4.0 to 5.6) and PMF was 1.7% (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3). A decrease in visual acuity (<6/6) was significantly associated with idiopathic PMF (odds ratio [OR] 1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.6) and CMR (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0) after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of epiretinal membranes was similar to that reported in other population-based studies. Population shifts in the age distribution to older ages could lead to an increase in mild visual impairment caused by epiretinal membranes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Psychosocial work characteristics predict cardiovascular disease risk factors and health functioning in rural women: the Wisconsin Rural Women's Health Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between psychosocial work characteristics and health functioning and cardiovascular disease risk factors among rural women of central Wisconsin and compare psychosocial work characteristics between farm and nonfarm women. METHODS: Stratified sampling was used to select a random sample (n = 1500) of farm and nonfarm women aged 25 to 71 years from the Central Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area. The baseline examination included measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, and fasting blood lipids, glucose, and insulin. Psychosocial job condition was measured with the Karasek Job Content Questionnaires (JCQ). Health functioning was assessed by the Short Form-36 Health Survey. RESULTS: The analysis of JCQ showed that nonfarm residents were more likely to have jobs with high demand and high decision latitude compared to farm residents. Also, the farm residents (40.3%) were more likely to be occupied in passive jobs (jobs with low levels of demand and control) than the nonfarm residents (26.9%). Among farm residents, psychological job demand was associated with HDL level (beta = 0.17), triglycerides (beta = 0.0), their ratio (beta = 0.005), and blood insulin level (beta = 0.014), and among nonfarm residents, psychological job demand was associated with diastolic blood pressure (beta = 0.17) and total cholesterol level (beta = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that rural farm residents had a higher prevalence of CVD risk factors and were more likely to be occupied in jobs with low levels of demand and control. Job stress predicted more CVD risk factors among farm residents compared to nonfarm residents. Therefore, interventions reducing job strain among rural farm residents are timely and necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lessons learned from employee fitness programs at the Marshfield Clinic.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate employee fitness programs at the Marshfield Clinic. METHODS: A 16-week program was offered to employees from April-July 2004, and a 12-week program was offered from August-November, 2004. Weekly e-mails included suggestions to increase physical activity and eat a healthy diet. Incentives were offered for meeting program goals. RESULTS: A total of 1129 employees signed up for the first program (approximately 18% of all employees) and 610 for the second program. More than 95% of the participants in both programs were female. The activity program goal was met by 231 (20.5%) participants in the first program and 31% (n = 190) of participants in the second program. There was a significant increase in the percent of people with good or excellent fitness levels from baseline (46.4%, 95% CL = 40.5, 52.3) to follow-up (70.7%, 95% CL = 65.3, 76.0) in the first program. In the second program, there was a significant association between the number of program goals met and self-report of having increased energy, better weight control, and feeling better overall and about body image. CONCLUSION: Emphasis in future programs should be placed on increasing employee participation. Program evaluation could be expanded to include health care costs and employee absenteeism.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Food offerings in Marshfield area businesses: a survey conducted in collaboration with the healthy lifestyles--Marshfield Area Coalition.

PURPOSE: To survey Marshfield area businesses to determine the types of foods currently available to employees at the workplace and the potential need for nutrition information to facilitate the ordering of healthy food options at workplaces. METHODS: A 2-page self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all businesses registered with the Marshfield Area of Chamber of Commerce. Questionnaires were mailed a second time to non-responders to improve the response rate. The questionnaire included items about foods available to employees at the workplace, cooking and eating facilities available to employees, and reasons for food choices made. Data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet, verified against the hard copies and transferred to SPSS for analysis. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by 249 businesses (41.1% participation). The reported number of minutes that most employees take for their lunch ranged from 0 to 60 (median = 30). Eighty-one percent of businesses (n = 184) reported that most employees take 30 or more minutes for their lunch. Respondents were asked to list the most common menu items purchased for consumption on-site. One hundred fifteen respondents listed sandwiches (46.2%), 101 listed pizza (40.6%), 30 listed salad (12.0%), and 17 listed various sweets (6.8%). Employees were thought to be less likely than managers to select foods lower in calories if the foods are more expensive. DISCUSSION: There is great potential to improve the health of employees through the provision of nutrition information to businesses. The survey employed in the current study can be used again in the future to track changes after implementation of worksite initiatives through the Business and Industry Committee of the Healthy Lifestyles--Marshfield Area Coalition.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Vacations improve mental health among rural women: the Wisconsin Rural Women's Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare psychological stress, quality of marital life, and disruptive homelife due to work among rural women of central Wisconsin who take vacations frequently and those who do not. METHODS: Women were recruited from 1996 to 2001 for a prospective cohort study from the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study area, a geographic area in central Wisconsin. Stratified sampling was used to select a random sample of 1500 farm and non-farm resident women. RESULTS: The odds of depression and tension were higher among women who took vacations only once in 2 years (Depression: OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.2,3.0; Tension: OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.2, 2.3) or once in 6 years (Depression: OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.2, 3.2; Tension: OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.3,2.8) compared to women who took vacations twice or more per year. The odds of marital satisfaction decreased as the frequency of vacations decreased. CONCLUSION: Women who take vacations frequently are less likely to become tense, depressed, or tired, and are more satisfied with their marriage. These personal psychological benefits that lead to increased quality of life may also lead to improved work performance.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin E supplementation and cataract: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment with vitamin E (500 IU daily) reduces either the incidence or rate of progression of age-related cataracts. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial entitled the Vitamin E, Cataract and Age-Related Maculopathy Trial. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1906 screened volunteers, 1193 eligible subjects with early or no cataract, aged 55 to 80 years, were enrolled and followed up for 4 years. INTERVENTION: Subjects were assigned randomly to receive either 500 IU of natural vitamin E in soybean oil encapsulated in gelatin or a placebo with an identical appearance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence and progression rates of age-related cataract were assessed annually with both clinical lens opacity gradings and computerized analysis of Scheimpflug and retroillumination digital lens images obtained with a Nidek EAS-1000 lens camera. The analysis was undertaken using data from the eye with the more advanced opacity for each type of cataract separately and for any cataract changes in each individual. RESULTS: Overall, 87% of the study population completed the 4 years of follow-up, with 74% of the vitamin E group and 76% of the placebo group continuing on their randomized treatment allocation throughout this time. For cortical cataract, the 4-year cumulative incidence rate was 4.5% among those randomized to vitamin E and 4.8% among those randomized to placebo (P = 0.87). For nuclear cataract, the corresponding rates were 12.9% and 12.1% (P = 0.77). For posterior subcapsular cataract, the rates were 1.7% and 3.5% (P = 0.08), whereas for any of these forms of cataract, they were 17.1% and 16.7%, respectively. Progression of cortical cataract was seen in 16.7% of the vitamin E group and 18.4% of the placebo group (P = 0.76). Corresponding rates for nuclear cataract were 11.4% and 11.9% (P = 0.84), whereas those of any cataract were 16.5% and 16.7%, respectively. There was no difference in the rate of cataract extraction between the 2 groups (P = 0.87). Lens characteristics of the participants withdrawn from the randomized medications were not different from those who continued. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E given for 4 years at a dose of 500 IU daily did not reduce the incidence of or progression of nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular cataracts. These findings do not support the use of vitamin E to prevent the development or to slow the progression of age-related cataracts.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Five-year incidence of age-related maculopathy: the Visual Impairment Project.

PURPOSE: To describe the 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and the progression of the early stages of ARM lesions in Melbourne, Australia. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3271 participants aged 40 years and older from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 5-year incidence and progression of ARM lesions. METHODS: Participants were recruited through a cluster random sampling from 9 urban clusters. Baseline examinations were conducted from 1992 through 1994, and the follow-up data were collected from 1997 through 1999. Presence of ARM lesions was graded from color stereo fundus photographs according to the International Classification and Grading System. RESULTS: The overall cumulative 5-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was 0.49% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-0.8) and that of early ARM was 17.3% (95% CI, 8.7-26.0). The incidence of all ARM lesions increased with age (all P<0.001). The 5-year incidence of AMD was 0%, 0.69%, 1.7%, and 6.3% and that of early ARM was 13%, 22.7%, 29.8%, and 20% for participants aged 60 years and younger, aged 60 to 69 years, aged 70 to 79 years, and aged 80 years and older at baseline, respectively. People with soft indistinct drusen with pigmentary abnormalities had a 9.5 times (95% CI, 1.9-45.6) higher risk of developing AMD compared with people with soft drusen or pigmentary abnormalities. After adjusting for age, people with unilateral early ARM at baseline were 3 times (95% CI, 0.98-8.0) as likely to have early ARM in their second eye when compared with people with no ARM in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that 1 in 3 persons aged 70 years or older will have ARM lesions over a 5-year period and that the disease will progress to a more severe form after the age of 80 years. The presence of soft indistinct drusen with pigmentary abnormalities significantly increased the risk for development of AMD.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Utilization of eye care services by Victorians likely to benefit from eye care.

AIM: To assess the utilization of eye care services by Australians most likely to benefit from eye assessment. METHODS: The Melbourne Visual Impairment Project was a population-based study that collected demographic, health and vision-related information including use of eye care services. A standardized detailed ophthalmic examination was performed. Utilization of eye care services by those who might most benefit from eye care was assessed and compared to the general population. These participants include those with undiagnosed glaucoma, unoperated visually significant cataract, undercorrected refractive error, diabetes mellitus, age-related macular degeneration and visual acuity < 6/12. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed for their influence on eye care utilization among these participants. RESULTS: A total of 4744 urban and rural residents participated (86% of those eligible) and 4612 (83% of total eligible) of these had a complete data set for the use of eye care services and were included. There were 933 participants (20.2%) who did not report eye assessment in the previous 5 years, and 891 participants (19.3%) had one or more aforementioned conditions potentially benefiting from eye care. Of these, between 34.4% and 59.4% reported no examination in the previous year and between 9% and 25% reported no examination within the previous 5 years. These participants were more likely to seek eye care within the short term (1 year) if they had a family history of eye disease, otherwise a noticed change in vision was the main influence in the longer term (2-5 years). Male participants, younger participants and those whose main spoken language was not English were less likely to seek eye care in the longer term. CONCLUSIONS: In Victoria 19% of those >40 years of age have potentially unmanaged eye disease including glaucoma, unoperated visually significant cataract, undercorrected refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes mellitus or visual acuity < 6/12. A substantial proportion of these report no eye assessment in the previous 1, 2 or 5 years or ever before. Younger age, male sex and main language other than English make assessment less likely. Many may have these conditions despite having had a recent eye assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The need for routine eye examinations.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and causes of vision loss to assist in the objective determination of the preferred frequency of routine screening for those with normal vision. METHODS: A prospective, population-based study of people aged 40 or more years. Standardized examination protocols were used that included presenting and best corrected visual acuity, visual field testing, and comprehensive eye examination with dilation. RESULTS: There were 2529 people with a full data set, including 1590 with a normal baseline examination. The 5-year incidence of vision loss (<6/12 presenting acuity in the worse eye) was 2.39%. Overall, 24 (63%) of 38 of those with vision loss had noticed a change in their vision, and 18 (75%) of these 24 had attended an eye examination. This left only 14 (0.88%) people who had had normal baseline examination results and had asymptomatic vision loss develop over this 5-year period. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent routine eye examinations of those with normal examination results will have a low yield and may not be cost effective. Health promotion messages should target those who notice a change in vision and those at higher risk such as those with diabetes or a family history of eye disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Wisconsin rural women's health study psychological factors and blood cholesterol level: difference between normal and overweight rural women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of psychological factors on plasma lipid levels among rural women of central Wisconsin and to compare the effects of these variables among normal-weight and overweight women. METHODS: Stratified sampling was used to select a random sample (n=1500) of farm and non-farm women aged 25 to 71 years from the Central Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area. The baseline examination included measurements of blood pressure, skin folds, height, weight, and fasting blood lipids, glucose, and insulin. Framingham study questionnaires were employed to measure anger, anxiety, tension, and marital disagreement. The Spielberger Trait anger-reaction subscale was employed to assess proneness to anger. RESULTS: Among normal-weight women, a positive association was found between anger-reaction scores and cholesterol (b=0.008), ratio (b=0.014), triglycerides (b=0.02), and LDL (b=0.07). The odds of elevated cholesterol were highest among women with high scores on the Speilberger anger-reaction scale (OR=2.0) and anger discussion scale (OR=2.0), while the odds were less among women with high scores on the anger-out scale (OR=0.59). However, among overweight women, we found only scores on the Framingham anger-discussion scale as an important factor to determine the plasma lipid levels. CONCLUSION: Anger management may help to sever the link between psychological factors and CHD risk factors. Intervention intended to prevent cardiac events through the reduction of stress and modification of related psychological risk factors have successfully improved the CHD risk factors profile. Similar studies are needed to determine the efficacy of intervention for the primary prevention of CHD risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Five-year incidence of diabetic retinopathy in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to describe the 5-year incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) cohort. METHODS: Baseline examinations were conducted from 1992 to 1994 and follow-up data were collected 5 years later. Data collected during the baseline and follow-up studies included medical history (including previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus) and dilated fundus examination. Two 30 degrees stereoscopic fundus photographs were taken with a Topcon TRC fundus camera, one centred on the optic disc and the other centred on the fovea. Photographs from participants who reported having diabetes were graded for diabetic retinopathy based on an extension of the Modified Airlie House Classification. Grouping of participant data into retinopathy grades was based on the results of the worst eye. RESULTS: The follow-up survey included 82% (n = 121) of those with diabetes at baseline. Prevalence of any retinopathy was 35.7% and macular oedema was 13% at follow up. Diabetic retinopathy was newly detected in 8/73 (5-year incidence = 11.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.8-18.1). Disease progression was seen in 9/31 participants (29.0%, 95%CI = 14.9-47.8) who had diabetic retinopathy at baseline. The 5-year incidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in people without proliferative diabetic retinopathy at baseline was 2.9% (3/104, 95%CI = 0-6.4). The 5-year incidence of macular oedema in people who did not have macular oedema at baseline was 8.0% (8/100, 95%CI = 2.7-13.3). All people with proliferative diabetic retinopathy at baseline had received laser treatment by the follow-up survey. Twenty-four per cent of people without diabetic retinopathy reported never having had a dilated fundus examination (excluding the VIP examinations). CONCLUSION: The 5-year incidence of diabetic retinopathy was 11% in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project. Most people with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular oedema are receiving treatment. However, many people with diabetes are not having regular dilated fundus examinations.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Iris colour, ethnic origin and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between iris colour, ethnic origin and the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Participants were recruited from the population-based Melbourne Visual Impairment Project or the prospective, randomized, double-masked Vitamin E, Cataract and Age-Related Macular Degeneration study. From these two cohorts, 171 participants aged between 52 and 93 years who were identified as having early AMD features at their baseline examination (1992-1995) were followed for an average of 6.8 years (until 2001) to determine the progression rate of early AMD. The participants' iris colour was categorized as light, intermediate or dark. Ethnic origin was categorized as Anglo-Saxon or non-Anglo-Saxon, according to the participants' grandparents' country of birth. RESULTS: In total, 53 (31%) of the 171 participants showed signs of AMD progression. Participants with light iris colour had twofold the risk of AMD progression of those with dark or intermediate iris colours, although the age-adjusted and multivariate-adjusted associations were not significant (both P = 0.13). Age-adjusted and multivariate comparisons of Anglo-Saxon ethnic origin to non-Anglo-Saxon ethnic origin showed a noticeable but non-significant association with progression of AMD (P= 0.22 and P= 0.14, respectively). CONCLUSION: Individuals with light iris colour or of Anglo-Saxon ethnic origin had a strong tendency to greater progression of AMD. A larger sample is required to confirm these clinically important, but statistically non-significant, associations.

Aged↗