Systemic endothelial function in cases with wet-type age-related macular degeneration

Choroidal endothelial dysfunction plays key role in wet-type age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Peripheral vascular endothelial function is not known in wet AMD. We aimed to analyze peripheral vascular endothelial function in cases with wet-type age-related macular degeneration by measuring flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). The study included 20 cases with wet AMD (Group 1, mean age 65.9 +/- 7.2 years) and 24 healthy individuals (Group 2, mean age 62.0 +/- 11.9 years). In all cases, a cardiologist assessed the responses of endothelial function by measuring the FMD following brachial artery occlusion. Mean FMD, an indicator of endothelial function was found to be 6.4 +/- 2.7 % in Group 1 and 15.6 +/- 7.3 % in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between patient and control groups regarding age, sex, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, ESR and CRP. Reduced FMD is present in patients with wet AMD, suggesting that impaired peripheral endothelial function may be involved in its pathogenesis.