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Inflammation and Age-Related Macular DegenerationInflammation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

JAMA. 2004;292(1):43-43. doi:10.1001/jama.292.1.43-a
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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Letters Section Editor: Stephen J. Lurie, MD, PhD, Senior Editor.

INFLAMMATION AND AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

To the Editor: Dr Seddon and colleagues1 reported that C-reactive protein is significantly associated with intermediate and advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), independent of established risk factors such as obesity and smoking. The authors concluded that inflammation may have a role in the pathogenesis of AMD and suggested that anti-inflammatory agents might be used in preventing AMD.

This is not a new hypothesis. I am concerned that Seddon et al did not cite several previous studies in this area. We recently published a review2 that cites evidence of both cellular and humoral factors in AMD.3 4

Similarly, anti-inflammatory agents have been used for AMD in clinical trials since 1995.5 Several studies have investigated the use of anti-inflammatory agents, either alone6 7 or combined with other therapies such as photodynamic therapy,8 to treat AMD.

References
Seddon JM, Gensler G, Milton RC, Klein ML, Rifai N. Association between C-reactive protein and age-related macular degeneration.  JAMA.2004;291:704-710.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Madigan MC, Gillies MC, Provis JM. Immunological and aetiological aspects of macular degeneration.  Prog Retin Eye Res.2001;20:385-414.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Provis JM, Furby JH, Garenby PA, Billson FA. Autoantibodies to retinal astrocytes associated with age-related macular degeneration.  Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol.1990;228:270-274.
PubMed
Chen H, Wu L, Pan S, Wu DZ. An immunologic study on age-related macular degeneration.  Yan Ke Xue Bao.1993;9:113-120.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Gyory JF, Hunyor AB, Billson FA. Exudative macular degeneration and intravitreal triamcinolone: a pilot study.  Aust N Z J Ophthalmol.1995;23:293-298.
PubMed
Jonas JB, Kreissig I, Hugger P, Sauder G, Panda-Jonas S, Degenring R. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2003;87:462-468.
PubMed
Wong D, Campbell I, Groenwald C, Lancaster E. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2004;88:598.
PubMed
Rechtman E, Danis RP, Pratt LM, Harris A. Intravitreal triamcinolone with photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2004;88:344-347.
PubMed

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Seddon JM, Gensler G, Milton RC, Klein ML, Rifai N. Association between C-reactive protein and age-related macular degeneration.  JAMA.2004;291:704-710.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Madigan MC, Gillies MC, Provis JM. Immunological and aetiological aspects of macular degeneration.  Prog Retin Eye Res.2001;20:385-414.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Provis JM, Furby JH, Garenby PA, Billson FA. Autoantibodies to retinal astrocytes associated with age-related macular degeneration.  Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol.1990;228:270-274.
PubMed
Chen H, Wu L, Pan S, Wu DZ. An immunologic study on age-related macular degeneration.  Yan Ke Xue Bao.1993;9:113-120.
PubMed
Penfold PL, Gyory JF, Hunyor AB, Billson FA. Exudative macular degeneration and intravitreal triamcinolone: a pilot study.  Aust N Z J Ophthalmol.1995;23:293-298.
PubMed
Jonas JB, Kreissig I, Hugger P, Sauder G, Panda-Jonas S, Degenring R. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2003;87:462-468.
PubMed
Wong D, Campbell I, Groenwald C, Lancaster E. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2004;88:598.
PubMed
Rechtman E, Danis RP, Pratt LM, Harris A. Intravitreal triamcinolone with photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age related macular degeneration.  Br J Ophthalmol.2004;88:344-347.
PubMed
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