Purpose: To examine the association between presence, severity, and extent of lesions of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and optic disk and cup diameters in a general population.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: setting: Population-based. study population: Adults aged 43 to 86 years participating in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. observation procedures: Fundus photographs were graded for lesions of AMD using standard protocols. The photographs were obtained during the baseline examination of the Beaver Dam Eye Study. main outcome measure: Optic disk cupping as related to presence, severity, and extent of lesions of AMD.
Results: There were no significant differences in the vertical optic disk and cup measurements or in the vertical cup to disk ratios by severity of lesions of AMD (P values all greater than .10). In those eyes with late lesions of AMD, there was no association of the size of the lesions or their distribution in the fundus and the extent of cupping.
Conclusions: From a population perspective, there is no relationship of the presence or severity of AMD and optic disk cupping.