Alcohol Conumption and the 15-year Cumulative Incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpoe To invetigate alcohol conumption a a rik factor for the 15-year cumulative incidence and progreion of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Deign Propective population-baed tudy in Beaver Dam, WI with four examination at five-year interval initiated in 1988 (n = 3,509 contributed data for thi analyi). Method Hitory of alcohol conumption wa obtained via quetionnaire. Cumulative incidence of early AMD, exudative AMD, pure geographic atrophy, and progreion of AMD were aeed from fundu photograph taken at each examination. Reult Heavy drinking (four or more drink daily) at baeline wa related to the 15-year cumulative incidence of pure geographic atrophy in men (odd ratio, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 51.2). There were no conitent aociation with the amount of beer, wine, or liquor conumption and the incidence or progreion of AMD. Concluion Alcohol conumption i unlikely to trongly increae (or decreae) the rik of AMD.