Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and age-related macular degeneration in middle-aged and older adults

Absract In developed countries, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults. The key pathways of AMD are suggested to be excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in the central retina. Because air pollution has been found capable of inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, it may play a role in development of AMD. This study investigated the association between ambient air pollution and AMD in 15,115 middle-aged and older adults (≥40 years) from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2012. After controlling for important confounders, ambient NO2 and CO in current-to-5 prior years and PM10 in 2-to-5 prior years were significantly associated with higher prevalence of early AMD, while O3 in current-to-5 prior years was significantly associated with lower prevalence of early AMD. When modeled air pollution within administrative division units, its ORs with an IQR increase in NO2, CO, and O3 at current year were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05–1.46), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09–1.38), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70–0.92), respectively. Overall, results from air pollution at local/town units were consistent with those at administrative division units. Long-term exposures to ambient air pollution may play a role in the risk of AMD in middle-aged and older adults. •AMD is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults.•This is the first study to examine the effects of various air pollutants on AMD.•Long-term exposures to ambient air pollution may play a role in the risk of AMD.•PM10, NO2 and CO were significantly associated with higher prevalence of early AMD.•Those were findings from ambient levels currently observed in general population.