Plasma antiphospholipid antibody levels in age-related macular degeneration

PurposeTo investigate the association of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with plasma antiphospholipid antibody levels.MethodsThis prospective study included 19 patients diagnosed as having dry-type AMD, 23 patients with exudative-type AMD, and 25 control subjects. Venous blood samples of the participants were obtained. Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) isotypes IgG and IgM were measured by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies were measured by the dilute Russell viper venom time screen test.ResultsThe mean aCL IgG concentration in patients with exudative-type AMD was significantly higher than in patients with dry-type AMD and control subjects. The mean ± SE of aCL IgG levels in patients with exudative-type AMD and dry-type AMD and control subjects was 5.46 ± 1.26; 2.55 ± 0.78; and 0.32 ± 0.1, respectively. The mean aCL IgM levels and LA levels in the 3 groups were not statistically different.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that elevated levels of serum aCL, a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, may be associated with exudative-type AMD.