Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

Open Access 01-01-2019 | Review

Macular degeneration and occupational risk factors: a systematic review

Authors: Alberto Modenese, Fabriziomaria Gobba

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Macular degeneration is a multi-factorial disease, leading cause of blindness for people over 50 years old in developed countries. To date, the knowledge on possible occupational factors involved in the development of the disease is scant.

Method

We performed a systematic scientific literature search on the association between macular degeneration and occupational risk factors searching the MedLine and Scopus databases.

Results

We examined 158 articles and, according to the inclusion criteria, 13 peer-reviewed studies evaluating occupational risk factors for macular degeneration or reporting the frequency of the disease in specific groups of workers were included in the review. Ten on thirteen articles evaluated the presence of macular degeneration in workers exposed to solar radiation. Only one study found that non-specific history of occupational chemical exposure was associated with the disease. Two studies showed an association between macular degeneration and the general category of “blue-collar” workers, but they did not identify the specific risk factors involved.

Conclusions

To date few studies have examined occupational risk factors for macular degeneration. Nevertheless, available data indicate that long-term occupational solar radiation exposure, in particular for its blue-light component, is associated with macular degeneration in outdoor workers.

Available only for authorised users

Augood CA, Vingerling JR, de Jong PT, Chakravarthy U, Seland J, Soubrane G, Tomazzoli L, Topouzis F, Bentham G, Rahu M, Vioque J, Young IS, Fletcher AE (2006) Prevalence of age-related maculopathy in older Europeans: the European Eye Study (EUREYE). Arch Ophthalmol 124(4):529–535. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.124.4.529 CrossRef

Baird PN, Chakrabarti S (2014) How genetic studies have advanced our understanding of age-related macular degeneration and their impact on patient care: a review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 42(1):53–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.12235 CrossRef

Biesemeier A, Yoeruek E, Eibl O, Schraermeyer U (2015) Iron accumulation in Bruch’s membrane and melanosomes of donor eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 137:39–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2015.05.019 CrossRef

Bressler NM, Munoz B, Maguire MG, Vitale SE, Schein OD, Taylor HR, West SK (1995) Five-year incidence and disappearance of drusen and retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities. Waterman study. Arch Ophthalmol 113(3):301–308. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1995.01100030055022 CrossRef

Caljkusić-Mance T, Kovacević D, Novak-Stroligo M, Alpeza-Dunato Z (2010) Distribution of age-related macular degeneration in Primorsko-Goranska County. Coll Antropol 34(Suppl.2):109–111

Chakravarthy U, Wong TY, Fletcher A, Piault E, Evans C, Zlateva G, Buggage R, Pleil A, Mitchell P (2010) Clinical risk factors for age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmol 10:31. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2415-10-31 CrossRef

Cho BJ, Heo JW, Shin JP, Ahn J, Kim TW, Chung H (2014) Association between reproductive factors and age-related macular degeneration in postmenopausal women: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012. PLoS One 9(7):e102816. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102816 CrossRef

Chong EW, Kreis AJ, Wong TY, Simpson JA, Guymer RH (2008) Alcohol consumption and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol 145(4):707–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2007.12.005 CrossRef

Christoforidis JB, Tecce N, Dell’Omo R, Mastropasqua R, Verolino M, Costagliola C (2011) Age related macular degeneration and visual disability. Curr Drug Targets 12(2):221–233. https://doi.org/10.2174/138945011794182755 CrossRef

Clemons TE, Milton RC, Klein R, Seddon JM, Ferris FL 3rd; Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group (2005) Risk factors for the incidence of advanced age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research (AREDS) AREDS report no. 19. Ophthalmology 112(4):533–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2004.10.047 CrossRef

Cruickshanks KJ, Klein R, Klein BE, Nondahl DM (2001) Sunlight and the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the beaver dam eye study. Arch Ophthalmol 119(2):246–250. https://doi.org/10.1001/pubs.Ophthalmol CrossRef

Ehmann DS, Ho AC (2017) Cataract surgery and age-related macular degeneration. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 28(1):58–62. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICU.0000000000000331 CrossRef

Evans JR (2001) Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 20(2):227–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1350-9462(00)00023-9 CrossRef

Fletcher AE, Bentham GC, Agnew M, Young IS, Augood C, Chakravarthy U, de Jong PT, Rahu M, Seland J, Soubrane G, Tomazzoli L, Topouzis F, Vingerling JR, Vioque J (2008) Sunlight exposure, antioxidants, and age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 126(10):1396–1403. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.126.10.1396 CrossRef

Fujihara M, Nagai N, Sussan TE, Biswal S, Handa JT (2008) Chronic cigarette smoke causes oxidative damage and apoptosis to retinal pigmented epithelial cells in mice. PLoS One 3(9):e3119. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003119 CrossRef

Gehrs KM, Anderson DH, Johnson LV, Hageman GS (2006) Age-related macular degeneration-emerging pathogenetic and therapeutic concepts. Ann Med 38(7):450–471. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890600946724 CrossRef

Gobba F, Dall’Olio E, Modenese A, De Maria M, Campi L, Cavallini GM (2017) Work-related eye injuries: a relevant health problem. Main epidemiological data from a highly-industrialized area of northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14060604 CrossRef

Gopinath B, Flood VM, Kifley A, Liew G, Mitchell P (2015) Smoking, antioxidant supplementation and dietary intakes among older adults with age-related macular degeneration over 10 years. PLoS One 10(3):e0122548. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0122548 CrossRef

Hughes AE, Orr N, Patterson C, Esfandiary H, Hogg R, McConnell V, Silvestri G, Chakravarthy U (2007) Neovascular age-related macular degeneration risk based on CFH, LOC387715/HTRA1, and smoking. PLoS Med 4(12):e355. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0040355 CrossRef

Hwang HS, Lee SB, Jee D (2015) Association between blood lead levels and age-related macular degeneration. PLoS One 10(8):e0134338. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134338 CrossRef

Hyman L, Neborsky R (2002) Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration: an update. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 13(3):171–175CrossRef

Hyman LG, Lilienfeld AM, Ferris FL 3rd, Fine SL (1983) Senile macular degeneration: a case–control study. Am J Epidemiol 118(2):213–227. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113629 CrossRef

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (2004) Guidelines on limits of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (incoherent optical radiation). Health Phys 87(2):171–186. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-200408000-00006 CrossRef

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (2010) ICNIRP statement—protection of workers against ultraviolet radiation. Health Phys 99(1):66–87. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0b013e3181d85908 CrossRef

Kearney FM, Fagan XJ, Al-Qureshi S (2014) Review of the role of refined dietary sugars (fructose and glucose) in the genesis of retinal disease. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 42(6):564–573. https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.12290 CrossRef

Kikuchi M, Nakamura M, Ishikawa K, Suzuki T, Nishihara H, Yamakoshi T, Nishio K, Taki K, Niwa T, Hamajima N, Terasaki H (2007) Elevated C-reactive protein levels in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 114(9):1722–1727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2006.12.021 CrossRef

Klein R, Klein BE, Jensen SC, Moss SE (2001) The relation of socioeconomic factors to the incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam eye study. Am J Ophthalmol 132(1):128–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(00)00931-4 CrossRef

Klein R, Peto T, Bird A, Vannewkirk MR (2004) The epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol 137(3):486–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2003.11.069 CrossRef

Kuckelkorn R, Kottek A, Schrage N, Reim M (1995) Poor prognosis of severe chemical and thermal eye burns: the need for adequate emergency care and primary prevention. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 67(4):281–284CrossRef

Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP et al (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. J Clin Epidemiol 62(10):e1–e34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.006 CrossRef

Maier R, Heilig P, Winker R, Neudorfer B, Hoeranter R, Ruediger H (2005) Welder’s maculopathy? Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78(8):681–685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-005-0013-3 CrossRef

Mattioli S, Zanardi F, Baldasseroni A, Schaafsma F, Cooke RM, Mancini G, Fierro M, Santangelo C, Farioli A, Fucksia S, Curti S, Violante FS, Verbeek J (2010) Search strings for the study of putative occupational determinants of disease. Occup Environ Med 67(7):436–443. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2008.044727 CrossRef

Modenese A, Gobba F (2017) Occupational exposure to solar radiation at different latitudes and pterygium: a systematic review of the last 10 years of scientific literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(1):E37. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010037 CrossRef

Modenese A, Gobba F (2018) Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol (epub ahead of print). https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.13734 CrossRef

Modenese A, Bisegna F, Borra M, Grandi C, Gugliermetti F, Militello A, Gobba F (2016a) Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: evaluation method for epidemiological studies. Med Pr 67(5):577–587. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00461 CrossRef

Modenese A, Farnetani F, Andreoli A, Pellacani G, Gobba F (2016b) Questionnaire-based evaluation of occupational and non-occupational solar radiation exposure in a sample of Italian patients treated for actinic keratosis and other non-melanoma skin cancers. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 30(Suppl.3):21–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13606 CrossRef

Njirić S, Misljenović T, Mikulicić M, Pavicević L (2007) Incidence of age related macular degeneration in correlation with age, sex and occupation. Coll Antropol 31(Suppl.1):107–110

Nowak JZ (2006) Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): pathogenesis and therapy. Pharmacol Rep 58(3):353–363

Park SJ, Lee JH, Woo SJ, Ahn J, Shin JP, Song SJ, Kang SW, Park KH (2014) Epidemiologic Survey Committee of the Korean Ophthalmologic Society. Age-related macular degeneration: prevalence and risk factors from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008 through 2011. Ophthalmology 121(9):1756–1765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.03.022 CrossRef

Plestina-Borjan I, Klinger-Lasić M (2007) Long-term exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation as a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. Coll Antropol 31(Suppl.1):33–38

Poole CJM, Basu S (2017) Systematic review: occupational illness in the waste and recycling sector. Occup Med (Lond) 67(8):626–636. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqx153 CrossRef

Poscia A, Moscato U, La Milia DI, Milovanovic S, Stojanovic J, Borghini A, Collamati A, Ricciardi W, Magnavita N (2016) Workplace health promotion for older workers: a systematic literature review. BMC Health Serv Res 16(Suppl.5):329. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1518-z CrossRef

Price RB, Labrie D, Bruzell EM, Sliney DH, Strassler HE (2016) The dental curing light: a potential health risk. J Occup Environ Hyg 13(8):639–646. https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2016.1165822 CrossRef

Saadat I, Vakili-Ghartavol R, Farvardin-Jahromi M, Saadat M (2012) Association between exudative age-related macular degeneration and the G6721T polymorphism of XRCC7 in outdoor subjects. Korean J Ophthalmol 26(6):423–427. https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2012.26.6.423 CrossRef

Schick T, Ersoy L, Lechanteur YT, Saksens NT, Hoyng CB, den Hollander AI, Kirchhof B, Fauser S (2016) History of sunlight exposure is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. Retina 36(4):787–790. https://doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000000756 CrossRef

Shah AR, Del Priore LV (2007) Progressive visual loss in subfoveal exudation in age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis using Lineweaver–Burke plots. Am J Ophthalmol 143(1):83–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2006.09.043 CrossRef

Shaw PX, Stiles T, Douglas C, Ho D, Fan W, Du H, Xiao X (2016) Oxidative stress, innate immunity, and age-related macular degeneration. AIMS Mol Sci 3(2):196–221. https://doi.org/10.3934/molsci.2016.2.196 CrossRef

Sliney DH (2002) How light reaches the eye and its components. Int J Toxicol 21(6):501–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/10915810290169927 CrossRef

Sliney D, Aron-Rosa D, DeLori F, Fankhauser F, Landry R, Mainster M, Marshall J, Rassow B, Stuck B, Trokel S, West TM, Wolffe M (2005) International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Adjustment of guidelines for exposure of the eye to optical radiation from ocular instruments: statement from a task group of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Appl Opt 44(11):2162–2176. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.44.002162 CrossRef

Sui GY, Liu GC, Liu GY, Gao YY, Deng Y, Wang WY, Tong SH, Wang L (2013) Is sunlight exposure a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol 97(4):389–394. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302281 CrossRef

Taylor HR, Keeffe JE (2001) World blindness: a 21st century perspective. Br J Ophthalmol 85(3):261–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.85.3.261 CrossRef

Taylor HR, Muñoz B, West S, Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Rosenthal FS (1990) Visible light and risk of age-related macular degeneration. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 88:163–178

Tenkate TD (2017) Ocular ultraviolet radiation exposure of welders. Scand J Work Environ Health 43(3):287–288. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3630 CrossRef

Thapa R, Paudyal G, Shrestha MK, Gurung R, Ruit S (2011) Age-related macular degeneration in Nepal. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 9(35):165–169. https://doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i3.6298 CrossRef

Thürauf JR (1979) Health effects of exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Report of a WHO-conference in Sofia. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 43(1):69–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454282 CrossRef

Tomany SC, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein R, Klein BE, Knudtson MD (2004a) Sunlight and the 10-year incidence of age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol 122(5):750–757. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.122.5.750 CrossRef

Tomany SC, Wang JJ, Van Leeuwen R, Klein R, Mitchell P, Vingerling JR, Klein BE, Smith W, De Jong PT (2004b) Risk factors for incident age-related macular degeneration: pooled findings from 3 continents. Ophthalmology 111(7):1280–1287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2003.11.010 CrossRef

Tuo J, Bojanowski CM, Chan CC (2004) Genetic factors of age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 23(2):229–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2004.02.001 CrossRef

Ugarte M, Osborne NN, Brown LA, Bishop PN (2013) Iron, zinc, and copper in retinal physiology and disease. Surv Ophthalmol 58(6):585–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2012.12.002 CrossRef

Ulrich C, Salavastru C, Agner T, Bauer A, Brans R, Crepy MN, Ettler K, Gobba F, Goncalo M, Imko-Walczuk B, Lear J, Macan J, Modenese A, Paoli J, Sartorelli P, Stageland K, Weinert P, Wroblewski N, Wulf HC, John SM (2016) The European Status Quo in legal recognition and patient-care services of occupational skin cancer. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 30(Suppl.3):46–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13609 CrossRef

Virgili G, Michelessi M, Parodi MB, Bacherini D, Evans JR (2015) Laser treatment of drusen to prevent progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 10:CD006537. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006537.pub3 CrossRef

Vojniković B, Njirić S, Coklo M, Spanjol J (2007) Ultraviolet sun radiation and incidence of age-related macular degeneration on Croatian Island Rab. Coll Antropol 31(Suppl.1):43–44

Wang AL, Lukas TJ, Yuan M, Du N, Tso MO, Neufeld AH (2009) Autophagy and exosomes in the aged retinal pigment epithelium: possible relevance to drusen formation and age-related macular degeneration. PLoS One 4(1):e4160. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0004160 CrossRef

Yoshimura N (2010) Age-related macular degeneration and genetics. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 38(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9071.2009.02225.x CrossRef

Title: Macular degeneration and occupational risk factors: a systematic review
Authors: Alberto Modenese
Fabriziomaria Gobba
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1355-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Macular degeneration and occupational risk factors: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

Sex differences in mortality after heat waves: are elderly women at higher risk?

VOC sources and exposures in nail salons: a pilot study in Michigan, USA

Cardiovascular recovery after workload in German shift workers in the hotel and catering industry: results of 24-hour-ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure

International consensus criteria for diagnosing and staging hand–arm vibration syndrome

Gender differences and lung cancer risk in occupational chefs: analyzing more than 350,000 chefs in Taiwan, 1984–2011

Mechanisms for reducing low back pain: a mediation analysis of a multifaceted intervention in workers in elderly care