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Review
. 2018 Dec 20;18(1):331.
doi: 10.1186/s12886-018-1004-y.

Association between sunlight exposure and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis

Hongjie Zhou  1 , Huina Zhang  2 , Aiqing Yu  3 , Jiajun Xie  2
Affiliations
Review

Association between sunlight exposure and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis

Hongjie Zhou et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Background: A substantial number of epidemiological studies have investigated the possible associations between sunlight exposure and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), but the results from studies are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between sunlight exposure and the risk of AMD.

Methods: Relevant studies were searched using databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science database. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. The random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled covariates-adjusted odds ratio (OR). Subgroup analyses based on study design, stage of AMD, method of exposure assessment, and study latitude were carried out. The heterogeneity across the studies was tested, as was publication bias.

Results: Fourteen eligible studies including 43,934 individuals based on the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The pooled OR for sunlight exposure and AMD was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.98-1.23). In addition, similar insignificant results were observed in further subgroup analyses based on stage of AMD, method of exposure assessment, and study latitude. Sun-avoidance behavior did not decrease the risk of AMD (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.76-1.67). Moderate heterogeneity was observed in most of analyses.

Conclusion: The results indicate that sunlight exposure may not be associated with increased risk of AMD based on current published data.

Keywords: Macular degeneration; Meta-analysis; Risk factor; Sunlight.

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Conflict of interest statement

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Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of studies identification
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of the association between sunlight exposure and risk of AMD. It shows a pooled OR of 1.10 (95% CI = 0.98–1.23, P = 0.093), demonstrated that there was no relationship between AMD and sunlight exposure. Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Funnel plot analysis to detect publication bias. Egger’s test suggested no statistically significant asymmetry of the funnel plot (P = 0.25), indicating no evidence of substantial publication bias
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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