It may be possible to safeguard against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by using anti-cholesterol medication, reported South Asia Mail recently.
According to the report, a new study that links the causes of the eye disease with clogged arteries suggests that it might be feasible to fight against the onset of AMD, the primary cause of blindness in the United States, with anti-cholesterol drugs.
According to the article, Cell Metabolism earlier this month included a writeup by senior investigator Rajendra S. Apte, who is affiliated with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues. Their research shows that both AMD and atherosclerosis share a common trait… the inability to get rid of excess cholesterol and fat.
According to the article, Apte and colleagues, as part of their research, utilized mice and human cells and demonstrated how cholesterol deposits can trigger AMD and atherosclerosis. They also hinted that the same process could also contribute to the growth of blood vessels in certain varieties of cancer.
The article noted that the same medication prescribed to help people with atherosclerosis to maintain clear arteries could possibly be used to help people dealing with AMD. AMD is an eye condition that progressively leads to central vision — but not peripheral vision — loss. It is, according to the article, the main cause of vision impairment among people in the U.S. who are older than 50. As the disease progresses, the sufferer increasingly has difficulty reading, driving, watching television and even recognizing the faces of even family members and friends.
There are two types of AMD, namely dry AMD and wet AMD. Of the two, the latter is the most serious, as it can lead to untreatable vision impairment. The dry type is the most common since only about 10% of people who develop dry AMD go on to get wet AMD, which occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop and leak blood and other fluids that damage the eye.
People who want to protect their eye health should see their eye care provider annual for an exam. Those with a family history of AMD need to see their eye care provider more often, according to various reports.
This article is brought to you by PreserveMacForte.com.