Age-related macular degeneration is not macular process only--peripheral retina is attacked too.

On a small island of Rab, geographical latitude 44 degrees 40' N, with the highest solar radiation among Adriatic islands, 1371 patients were examined in 2003-2005 period, with the aim of estimating the frequency of the patients number with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and further if the peripheral retina is damaged similarly as the macular region. In the first group of agriculturists and fishermen (n = 1300) we estimated the AMD, initial and middle stage of AMD, in 18% of population, but in urban population only by 2 patients. Perimetric analysis with computerized Kowa perimeter, estimated that the peripheral retina is affected similarly as the macular region. Author concludes that for this reason, the usual term of "Age-related Macular Degeneration" should necessarily be named with the suffix "Peripheral", or "Age-related Retinopathy".