People age 65 and older who took a daily dose of aspirin had double the risk of developing “wet” AMD compared with those who took it less frequently, according to a recent report from the European Eye Study.
Older folks who take daily aspirin have twice the risk of wet AMD.
The study, which appeared in the January issue of Ophthalmology, also found a somewhat elevated risk of early-stage AMD in daily aspirin users. However, investigators found no higher risk for advanced “dry” AMD.
In this study of nearly 4,700 participants, those who reported taking aspirin every day had higher rates of cardiovascular disease, were less likely to be smokers and were older than participants who took aspirin less often.
Because cardiovascular disease itself is a risk factor for AMD, the researchers carefully analyzed whether participants’ heart health had impacted the study’s outcomes. But even factoring in cardiovascular health, the results still showed higher risk for wet AMD in daily aspirin users.
For primary prevention of coronary heart disease, aspirin provides little net benefit because of its adverse effects, the authors concluded. In addition, other studies highlight the risk of intraocular hemorrhage in patients with wet AMD who take aspirin.
de Jong PT, Chakravarthy U, Rahu M, et al. Associations between aspirin use and aging macula disorder: The European Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2012 Jan;119(1):112-8.
