[Potential association of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)].

Purpose: Authors report an unexpected association between PEX and ARMD. It was an additional result of a study, that analysed possible systemic symptoms of pseudoexfoliation material in visceral organs. They reviewed literature data for both, concerning epidemiology and physiopathogeny.

Material And Methods: We conducted an age-and sex matched study of 142 patients in Brittany, 71 PEX and 71 controls, 31 men and 40 women in the 2 groups. The statistical study was performed with Epi Info 6.0 software using the X2 of Mantel-Haenszel Test.

Results: Statistical positive relation was found between PEX and ARMD (p=0.02), both increasing with age.

Discussion And Conclusion: Part of epidemiology seems to be similar in PEX and ARMD, especially environment role (particularly solar radiations), individual factors, and genetic predisposition. For the first time, in may 1999, a genetic localization of PEX was discovered on the chromosome II, and nearly of one loci of ARMD multiple localizations.