scholarly journals Long-term Use of Aspirin and Age-related Macular Degeneration

2013 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Christen ◽  
Emily Y Chew ◽  
◽  

Recent findings from observational epidemiologic studies have raised concern about a possible adverse effect of regular aspirin use in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and in particular neovascular AMD, which is the leading cause of severe irreversible blindness in the US. In this report, we consider these findings in light of the relative strengths and limitations of observational studies and randomized trials. While the findings are important and warrant further investigation, the inherent limitations of observation studies, most notably uncontrolled confounding, preclude an interpretation of causality. Alternatively, the most reliable evidence with which to evaluate the effects of regular aspirin use in AMD will derive from well-designed randomized trials of sufficient size and duration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disorder of the central retina and represents the leading cause of severe visual impairment in the elderly population of industrialized societies. It is known that it currently exists between 30 and 50 million people around the world and is estimated that will have doubled by the end of the coming decade. Several large epidemiologic studies have evaluated the prevalence of non-neovascular or so-called dry AMD. There is some variation in the prevalence of non-neovascular AMD depending on the exact definition of AMD. All of them report a higher prevalence of early AMD and an increasing prevalence with age. It is seen most in Caucasians and least in people with Africans and it is not related to gender.


1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques

Age-related cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are important public health problems. Approximately 50% of the 30 to 50 million cases of blindness worldwide result from unoperated cataract. In the US and other developed countries AMD is the leading cause of blindness, but age-related cataract remains the leading cause of visual disability. Age-related cataract and AMD represent an enormous economic burden. In the United States more than 1.3 million cataract extractions are performed annually at a cost of approximately $ 3.5 billion. Much of the experimental research on the etiology of cataract and AMD has focused on the role of nutritional antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids). Evidence from epidemiologic studies support a role for nutritional antioxidants in delaying the onset of these age-related vision disorders. Although it is not yet possible to conclude that antioxidant nutrients have a role in prevention of cataract or AMD, a summary of the epidemiologic evidence suggests that it is prudent to consume diets high in vitamins C and E and carotenoids, particularly the xanthophylls, as insurance against the development of cataract and AMD.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2021-319602
Author(s):  
Mengyuan Fang ◽  
Karntida Chanwimol ◽  
Jyotsna Maram ◽  
Ghazala A Datoo O'Keefe ◽  
Charles C Wykoff ◽  
...  

PurposeTo analyse the morphological characteristics of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with good long-term visual acuity after anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy.MethodsRetrospective, observational study of 175 patients with neovascular AMD with >5 years of follow-up after initiating anti-VEGF therapy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were assessed for thickness of pigment epithelial detachment (PED), subretinal hyper-reflective material (SHRM), subretinal fluid and subfoveal choroidal, as well as the integrity of the outer retinal bands.ResultsThe final analysis cohort included 203 eyes (175 patients) followed for a mean of 7.84±1.70 years (range: 5–11). The maximum PED thickness in the foveal central subfield (FCS) was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the poor vision group (13.11 μm) compared with the intermediate (86.25 μm) or good (97.92 μm) vision groups, respectively. In contrast, the maximum thickness of SHRM in the FCS was significantly thicker (p<0.001) in eyes with poor vision (149.46 μm) compared with eyes with intermediate vision (64.37 μm) which in turn were significantly thicker (p<0.001) than eyes with good vision (9.35 μm). The good vision group also had better continuity of all outer retinal bands (external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and retinal pigment epithelium) compared with the other two groups (all p<0.001).ConclusionA thicker PED and thinner SHRM were correlated with better vision in eyes with neovascular AMD following long-term anti-VEGF therapy. If replicated in future prospective studies, these findings may have implications for design of optimal anatomic endpoints for neovascular AMD treatment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selwyn M. Prea ◽  
Elsa C. Chan ◽  
Gregory J. Dusting ◽  
Algis J. Vingrys ◽  
Bang V. Bui ◽  
...  

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of substantial and irreversible vision loss amongst elderly populations in industrialized countries. The advanced neovascular (or “wet”) form of the disease is responsible for severe and aggressive loss of central vision. Current treatments aim to seal off leaky blood vessels via laser therapy or to suppress vessel leakage and neovascular growth through intraocular injections of antibodies that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the long-term success of anti-VEGF therapy can be hampered by limitations such as low or variable efficacy, high frequency of administration (usually monthly), potentially serious side effects, and, most importantly, loss of efficacy with prolonged treatment. Gene transfer of endogenous antiangiogenic proteins is an alternative approach that has the potential to provide long-term suppression of neovascularization and/or excessive vascular leakage in the eye. Preclinical studies of gene transfer in a large animal model have provided impressive preliminary results with a number of transgenes. In addition, a clinical trial in patients suffering from advanced neovascular AMD has provided proof-of-concept for successful gene transfer. In this mini review, we summarize current theories pertaining to the application of gene therapy for neovascular AMD and the potential benefits when used in conjunction with endogenous antiangiogenic proteins.


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