Association of fractal dimension and other retinal vascular network parameters with cognitive performance and neuroimaging biomarkers: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Introduction: Retinal vascular network changes may reflect the integrity of the cerebral microcirculation, and may be associated with cognitive impairment.

Methods: Associations of retinal vascular measures with cognitive function and MRI biomarkers were examined amongst Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants in North Carolina who had gradable retinal photographs at Exams 2 (2002 to 2004, n = 313) and 5 (2010 to 2012, n = 306), and detailed cognitive testing and MRI at Exam 6 (2016 to 2018).

Results: After adjustment for covariates and multiple comparisons, greater arteriolar fractal dimension (FD) at Exam 2 was associated with less isotropic free water of gray matter regions (β = -0.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED PRESENCE AND SEVERITY OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: A Combined Analysis of MESA and GOLDR Cohorts.

Purpose: Inflammation is associated with diabetic retinopathy development and progression, and previous studies have demonstrated that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine if omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are associated with decreased risk and severity of retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In a combined population of 1,356 individuals with type 2 diabetes from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Genetics of Latino Diabetic Retinopathy cohorts, odds ratios using logistic regression were determined to assess the association between polyunsaturated fatty acids and retinopathy.

An Association Between Large Optic Cupping and Total and Regional Brain Volume: The Women's Health Initiative.

Purpose: To investigate the relationships between optic nerve cupping and total and regional brain volumes.

Design: Secondary analysis of randomized clinical trial data.

Methods: Women 65 to 79 years of age without glaucoma with cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) measurements from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Sight Examination study and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based total and regional brain volumes from the WHI Memory Study MRI-1 were included.

Association of Central Retinal Arteriolar and Venular Equivalents with Brain-aging and Macular Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer Thickness.

Introduction: Neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in aging are growing public health concerns. This study investigates associations between central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents (CRAE, CRVE) and brain-aging, a sensory and cognitive test composite measure, and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness, a biomarker of neurodegeneration.

Methods: Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS) participants are adult children (baseline (2005-2008) age 21-84 years) of the population-based Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study participants.

Diet patterns and the incidence of age-related macular degeneration in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among the elderly.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between dietary patterns and food groups (used to make them) with the 18-year incidence of AMD.

Methods: ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) participants who showed change in AMD lesions between retinal photographs taken at visit 3 and visit 5 were graded side by side to determine incident AMD (any=144; early=117; late=27).

Retinal vessel diameters confound the relationship of pregnancy to retinopathy and infant outcomes in T1D.

Objectives: To determine whether: 1) retinal vessel diameters in pregnant and non-pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) alter the relationship of pregnancy to severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR); and 2) retinal vessel diameters in early pregnancy alter the relationship of severity of DR in the mother to severe adverse outcome in the infant.

Methods: Two cohorts of women with T1D, one composed of pregnant women and the other of non-pregnant women of child-bearing age, were recruited in Wisconsin. Baseline examinations (including retinal photography and collection of diabetes-related characteristics) were conducted, with follow-up approximately one year later.

An Association Between Large Optic Nerve Cupping and Cognitive Function.

Purpose: To determine if a larger cup-to-disc ratio is associated with poor cognitive function in postmenopausal women without glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods: We used data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone trial, originally designed to test effects of hormone therapy (HT) on various health outcomes. Large cup-to-disc ratio was defined as greater than 0.

Joint Contribution of Genetic Susceptibility and Modifiable Factors to the Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration over 10 Years: The Three Continent AMD Consortium Report.

Purpose: To assess joint effects of genetic and modifiable factors on the 10-year progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Individual and pooled data analyses of 2 population-based cohorts.

Participants: Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) and Rotterdam Study (RS) participants (n = 835).

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Purpose: To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations at visit 2 (1990-1992) and the 18-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) between visit 3 (1993-1995) and visit 5 (2011-2013).

Methods: This prospective analysis was conducted in a subset of participants (n = 1225) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. We evaluated the incidence of any, early, and late AMD from visit 3 to 5.

Neural dysfunction and retinopathy in persons with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To determine associations of microvascular and neuropathic complications of diabetes cross-sectionally and longitudinally in persons with long-term type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research Design And Methods: Persons receiving care for T1D in South Central Wisconsin were identified in 1979-1980 and examined approximately every 5 years. Associations between neuropathic and microvascular complications were examined at most prior visits, when information on several neuropathic complications was collected.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Myopic Degeneration in an Adult Chinese American Population: The Chinese American Eye Study.

Purpose: To characterize and provide population-based prevalence estimates of myopic degeneration (MD) among Chinese Americans, the fastest-growing minority population in the United States in the last decade.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 1523 Chinese-American adults with myopia, aged 50 years and older, residing in the city of Monterey Park, California, underwent an interview and comprehensive eye examination, including subjective and objective refraction and stereoscopic fundus photography.

Skin Intrinsic Fluorescence and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine if skin intrinsic fluorescence (SIF), a noninvasive measure of advanced glycation endproducts and oxidative stress in skin is associated with AMD.

Methods: SIF was measured with the SCOUT DS skin fluorescence spectrometer in a cross-sectional cohort study of 969 persons aged 68 to 102 years from the 1181 who participated in the 25-year follow-up examination in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (BDES) in 2014 to 2016. The SCOUT DS skin fluorescence spectrometer uses five light-emitting diodes, centered at 375 nm to 456 nm.

Five-year progression of unilateral age-related macular degeneration to bilateral involvement: the Three Continent AMD Consortium report.

Purpose: To assess the 5-year progression from unilateral to bilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and associated risk factors.

Design: Pooled data analyses of three prospective population-based cohorts, the Blue Mountains Eye Study, Beaver Dam Eye Study and Rotterdam Study.

Methods: Retinal photography and interview with comprehensive questionnaires were conducted at each visit of three studies.

Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Characteristics Associated with Glaucoma in Community Living Older Adults: Prelude to a Screening Trial?

Purpose: To examine the associations of nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness with other ocular characteristics in older adults.

Methods: Participants in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (2008-2010) underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans of the optic nerve head, imaging of optic discs, frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), and an interview concerning their history of glaucoma and use of drops to lower eye pressure. Self-reported histories of glaucoma and the use of drops to lower eye pressure were obtained at follow-up examinations (2014-2016).

Variability in Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography over 4 Weeks by Age.

Purpose: To quantify variation in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measures of total retinal thickness (top of inner limiting membrane to top of retinal pigment epithelium, RPE) and RPE thickness measures over a 4-week period and by age.

Methods: A total of 76 volunteers aged 40-85 years were seen at three visits over 4 weeks. Two Topcon SD-OCT scans were taken at each visit.

The epidemiology of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities as detected by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: the beaver dam eye study.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and interrelationships of epiretinal membranes (ERMs), vitreomacular traction (VMT), macular cysts, paravascular cysts (PVCs), lamellar macular holes (LMHs), full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs), and visual impairment in a population-based study of older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: There were 1913 participants aged 63 to 102 years at the 20-year Beaver Dam Eye Study follow-up examination in 2008-2010, of whom 1540 (2980 eyes) had gradable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) scans of the macula in at least 1 eye.

Retinal thickness measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in eyes without retinal abnormalities: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Purpose: To examine relationships of age, sex, and systemic and ocular conditions with retinal thickness measured by spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD OCT) in participants without retinal disease.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Methods: setting: Population-based cohort.

Supplementation with three different macular carotenoid formulations in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of three different macular carotenoid formulations on macular pigment optical density and visual performance in subjects with early age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Fifty-two subjects were supplemented and followed for 12 months, 17 of them were in intervention Group 1 (20 mg/day lutein and 2 mg/day zeaxanthin); 21 in Group 2 (10 mg/day meso-zeaxanthin, 10 mg/day lutein, and 2 mg/day zeaxanthin); and 14 in Group 3 (17 mg/day meso-zeaxanthin, 3 mg/day lutein, and 2 mg/day zeaxanthin). The macular pigment optical density was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry, and visual function was assessed using corrected distance visual acuity and by letter contrast sensitivity.

Harmonizing the classification of age-related macular degeneration in the three-continent AMD consortium.

Purpose: To describe methods to harmonize the classification of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes across four population-based cohort studies: the Beaver Dam Eye Study (BDES), the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), and the Rotterdam Study (RS).

Methods: AMD grading protocols, definitions of categories, and grading forms from each study were compared to determine whether there were systematic differences in AMD severity definitions and lesion categorization among the three grading centers. Each center graded the same set of 60 images using their respective systems to determine presence and severity of AMD lesions.

Genetic susceptibility, dietary antioxidants, and long-term incidence of age-related macular degeneration in two populations.

Objective: To examine effect modification between genetic susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dietary antioxidant or fish consumption on AMD risk.

Design: Pooled data analysis of population-based cohorts.

Participants: Participants from the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) and Rotterdam Study (RS).

Variability of measurement of retinal vessel diameters.

Purpose: To examine the effects of various cardiovascular, ocular, and lifestyle factors on retinal vessel diameters over short periods of time.

Methods: Subjects were invited to have photographs of their retina taken at each of three study visits. The same eye was photographed each time.

Prediction of age-related macular degeneration in the general population: the Three Continent AMD Consortium.

Purpose: Prediction models for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) based on case-control studies have a tendency to overestimate risks. The aim of this study is to develop a prediction model for late AMD based on data from population-based studies.

Design: Three population-based studies: the Rotterdam Study (RS), the Beaver Dam Eye Study (BDES), and the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) from the Three Continent AMD Consortium (3CC).