(www.PreserveMacForte.com) A study conducted by researchers in Toronto shows that people who use either of two popular medications to treat their age-related macular degeneration (AMD) do not up their odds of suffering from cardiovascular issues, reported the Ottawa Citizen recently.
According to the article, the study demonstrates that people who take small doses of either Lucentis or Avastin in their eyes to treat AMD do not face elevated risks of getting strokes or heart attacks. The article indicated that the research, published in the BMJ medical journal, was conducted by scientists affiliated with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).
While Lucentis and Avastin have improved the vision of millions of people suffering from retinal diseases, the drugs have also led to increased odds of side effects of the vascular nature in those who get them intravenously for cancer treatments. According to the article, the researchers wanted to look into whether or not there was a corresponding increased cardiovascular risk for those who had small amounts of Lucentis or Avastin directly injected into their eyes. The study’s findings are good news for those who find relief for their AMD by using either of the two eye drugs, according to the article.
ICES Scientist Dr. Rob Campbell, who is also an ophthalmologist at Queen’s University’s School of Medicine in Kingston, Ontario, said in the article that the findings are “highly significant.” He explained that there had previously been an “incomplete” understanding about the potential “safety risks” associated with using Lucentis and Avastin. The article also cited Dr. Campbell as saying in a press release that the team of researchers he was part of conducted a total of two studies, employing “different methods,” and came up with “consistent results,” which should provide a level of comfort for people currently using the drugs to treat AMD.
He added in the article, however, that more research must still be conducted as it relates to seeing how the drugs impact certain high-risk groups, such as people with diabetes.
According to many reports, AMD, an eye condition that can lead to blindness, mainly impacts the elderly.