Distribution of age-related macular degeneration in Primorsko-Goranska County.

The aim of this study is to show what part of our County has the most population with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and how some types frequently appear in same parts. The County includes 3 different geographic areas: Gorski Kotar, Coast and Islands. ARMD is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in developed countries. There are two categories of ARMD: atrophic or "dry" ARMD and exudative or"wet" ARMD. Our epidemiological study group includes 60 patients (33 females, 27 males) with both types of ARMD and they mostly spent their life times in our County. Patients were examined and treated in our Clinic during 2008 and 2009. We also examined which contribution factor (age, genetics, UV-exposure, diet, iris and macular pigment) is more common and found a links with occupation, residence and habits. Our study shows that ARMD in our County is most frequent in interval of 61-80 years. Incidence of ARMD is mild increased in female (55%). Significant incidence of ARMD is connected with patients who work outdoor more than 5 hours daily (70 %). There were no significant difference between patients in different areas[-Gorski Kotar and Coast (p = 0.9260), Gorshi Kotar and Islands (p = 0.8382) and Coast and Islands (p = 0.8546) connected with occupations. Regions Coast and Islands had more cases of ARMD than Gorski Kotar, but in Gorski Kotar patients had greater percent of "wet" type. Difference is statistically significant between areas Gorski Kotar and Islands (chi2 = 4.675, p = 0.0306). Also, there were statistically significant difference in nutrition between Gorski Kotar and Islands (chi2 = 4.17, p = 0.0411). Incidence of ARMD is related with less iris and macular pigment--47 patients (77%). There was an increased risk for exudative type in Trsće and Cabar in Gorski Kotar