Characteristics of Patients Older than 90 Years Diagnosed with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of patients aged ≥ 90 years who were diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for 44 patients aged ≥ 90 years diagnosed with neovascular AMD. History of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disorder and visual acuity at diagnosis were assessed. Fellow eye visual acuity data were also collected. When the fellow eye visual acuity was worse than 0.5, the primary reason for the visual deterioration was identified. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 91.5 ± 1.5 years (range: 90–95 years). Ten (22.7%) patients had histories of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disorders. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) of visual acuity was 1.11 ± 0.51 and the visual acuity was worse than 0.1 in 20 eyes (45.5%). The fellow eye visual acuity was worse than 0.5 in 26 eyes (59.1%). The primary reason was neovascular or atrophic AMD in 23 eyes (88.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disorders was relatively high in patients aged ≥ 90 years. Patients also had poor visual acuity at diagnosis and a high incidence of fellow eye visual deterioration. These systemic conditions should be considered when treating these patients. Additionally, a regular ophthalmic examination is recommended for the early detection of these disorders.