Is age-related macular degeneration associated with pinguecula or scleral plaque formation?

Purpose. To evaluate whether ocular changes indicating an increased exposur e to UV irradiation are associated with the development of age-related macu lar degeneration (ARMD). Methods. Using histology, we have investigated a possible association of oc ular changes that might be attributed to actinic damage, namely pinguecula and scleral plaque, with findings of both atrophic and disciform ARMD. A to tal of 74 eyes, could be used for evaluation. Results, Features of ARMD were present in 36 eyes (11 with disciform degene ration and 25 with an atrophic form). A pinguecula was identified in 36 eye s (small in 22 eyes, large in 14 eyes), and a scleral plaque was seen in 5 eyes. While scleral plaque showed an association with ARMD, there was no si gnificant association between pinguecula and ARMD. Conclusions. Our results support the concept of solar radiation having an e ffect on the development of ARMD but also indicate that it is a multifactor ial disease.