A recent domestic study discovered that age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in the elderly, not only leads to vision impairment but also increases the risk of fractures. Macular degeneration refers to the deterioration of the macular part of the retina, resulting in a decline in vision as one ages.
The research team, consisting of Professors Don-il Ham, Dong-hee Lim, Je-moon Yoon from the Department of Ophthalmology at Samsung Seoul Hospital, and Professor Dong-wook Shin from the Department of Family Medicine, gathered their findings by tracking and observing 3,894,702 individuals aged 50 or above who had undergone health checks from the National Health Insurance Corporation between 2009 and 2019.
The study revealed that out of the participants, a total of 47,266 people (1.21%) were diagnosed with macular degeneration during their initial examination. In this group, there were 20.6 fractures per 1,000 people, compared to 12.6 fractures in the control group. After adjusting for factors such as age and sex, the relative risk of fracture was found to be 9% higher in the macular degeneration group.
This heightened risk of fractures was also evident across different types of debilitating injuries commonly associated with old age, such as hip and spinal fractures. The macular degeneration group consistently exhibited a higher incidence of these injuries, resulting in a higher relative risk.
Interestingly, when macular degeneration coincided with visual impairment, the risk of fractures became even more pronounced. Compared to the control group, individuals with macular degeneration but no visual impairment faced an 8% increased risk of fractures. On the other hand, those with both macular degeneration and visual impairment saw their risk jump to 17%. The research team explained that reduced vision due to macular degeneration not only directly contributes to bone fractures but also leads to a loss of balance and decreased physical activity, making individuals more prone to falls.
Moreover, vitamin D deficiency, often associated with macular degeneration, further exacerbates the risk of fractures by leading to osteoporosis. This condition weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures.
Professor Yoon Je-moon emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent the risk of fractures when macular degeneration is suspected. He warned that in old age, the healing process of fractured bones is slow, and individuals can experience disabilities as a result.
Age-related macular degeneration typically begins to develop from the age of 50 or older. Unlike presbyopia, which causes farsightedness, this condition manifests through symptoms such as reduced central vision and distorted objects, even with the use of corrective lenses.
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A domestic study found that age-related macular degeneration, which causes vision impairment, also increases the risk of fracture. Macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of blindness in the elderly and refers to a disease where vision decreases due to degeneration of the macular part of the retina during the aging process.
The research team, which includes Professors Don-il Ham, Dong-hee Lim, and Je-moon Yoon from the Department of Ophthalmology at Samsung Seoul Hospital, and Professor Dong-wook Shin from the Department of Family Medicine, obtained the results this research after tracking and observing 3,894,702 people aged 50 or over who had health checks from the National Health Insurance Corporation between 2009 and 2019. published recently.
As a result of the study, a total of 47,266 people (1.21%) were diagnosed with macular degeneration at the time of the first examination, and in the macular degeneration group, 20.6 fractures occurred per 1,000 people. On the other hand, the difference in the control group was 12.6. The relative risk of fracture was also 9% higher in the macular degeneration group than in the control group. This is the result after adjusting for all the other factors that affect fractures, including age and sex.
The same was true when looking at each cut type. Regardless of the type of fatal life-threatening injury in old age, such as hip fractures and spinal fractures, the macular degeneration group had a higher incidence and the relative risk was also high.
In particular, this tendency became more pronounced when visual impairment coincided with macular degeneration. Compared to the control group, the risk of fracture increased by 8% in those with macular degeneration and no visual impairment, but in those with visual impairment, it jumped to 17%. The research team explained, “Not only are disorders such as reduced vision due to macular degeneration a direct cause of bone fractures, but it is also because lack of exercise due to this causes a loss of balance, making people prone to falls.” In addition, as macular degeneration is linked to vitamin D deficiency, it was also added that vitamin D deficiency leads to osteoporosis, making people more susceptible to bone fractures.
Professor Yoon Je-moon said, “If macular degeneration is suspected, we must also start to prevent the risk of fracture. In old age, if you fall and break a bone, recovery will be slow and disability can occur, so we need to proactively do that. deal with it.”
Age-related macular degeneration generally begins to develop from age 50 or older, and unlike presbyopia, which is out of focus, symptoms such as reduced central vision or distorted objects appear even at after wearing glasses.
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