PubMed ID: 7639303
Author(s): Ritter LL, Klein R, Klein BE, Mares-Perlman JA, Jensen SC. Alcohol use and age-related maculopathy in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 1995 Aug;120(2):190-6.
Journal: American Journal Of Ophthalmology, Volume 120, Issue 2, Aug 1995
PURPOSE Because there are few epidemiologic data examining the relationship between alcohol use and age-related maculopathy, we investigated this relationship via the population-based Beaver Dam Eye Study.
METHODS Alcohol consumption in the year before examination was determined by a standardized questionnaire. Age-related maculopathy status was determined by grading stereoscopic color fundus photographs.
RESULTS While controlling for other factors, consumption of beer in the past year was related to greater odds of increased retinal pigment degeneration (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.02, 1.25) and exudative macular degeneration (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.05, 1.88). Current consumption of neither wine nor liquor was related to early or late age-related maculopathy.
CONCLUSIONS These data suggest a relationship between beer consumption and greater odds of having exudative macular degeneration. Whether this is from a toxic effect specific to beer or from other unknown confounders cannot be determined.