Air Pollution Risk in AMD

Article: Air pollution linked to higher risk of sight loss from AMD
Source: University College London (U.K.), via ScienceDaily
Published: January 26, 2021
Article: Air pollution linked to heightened risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss (AMD)
Source: BMJ Newsroom
Published: January 25, 2021

This observational study from the U.K. investigated the correlation between air pollution and increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), using both subjective and objective measures. The sample size is exceptionally large, comprising 115,954 UK Biobank study participants, who completed self-reported surveys of their AMD diagnosis, as formally diagnosed by a doctor. Among these participants, 52,602 were also assessed of retinal changes via optical coherence tomography (OCT). Estimates of ambient air pollution were from the BioSHaRE-EU Environmental Determinants of Health Project, and matched with official geographic data. In short, this is a robust observational study. The researchers found that people in the most polluted areas were at least 8% more likely to report having AMD. While observational studies cannot confirm cause, the results are not particularly surprising. Previous research, for example, identified smoking as a risk factor for AMD. Air pollution can be thought of as widespread ambient-level "smoking." Again, while the research team caution that observational studies cannot investigate mechanism, they suggest that ambient air pollution could be associated with AMD through oxidative stress and inflammation. Though the results are not unexpected, nor preventable given the ubiquitous challenge of air pollution, this study is a good example of a robust observational study, and highlights the benefit, perhaps even the need, to work toward better air quality for better health.

My rating of this study: ⭐⭐⭐

Chua SYL, Warwick A, Peto T, et al. "Association of ambient air pollution with age-related macular degeneration and retinal thickness in UK Biobank." British Journal of Ophthalmology.  Published online 25 January 2021. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316218