A new study shows metformin may help prevent vision loss associated with age-related macular degeneration.
News Published: October 7, 2024 Original story from the University of Chicago
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults over 50 in the United States. According to estimates from the National Eye Institute, approximately 11 million people in the U.S. are affected by some form of AMD, and that number is expected to double by 2050 due to the aging population.
While AMD doesn’t typically cause complete blindness, it severely impairs vision in the center of the eye, making everyday activities like reading and recognizing faces difficult. There are two main types: dry (atrophic) AMD and wet (neovascular) AMD. Dry AMD is more common, accounting for about 80-90% of cases. It occurs when the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, gradually thins with age, leading to the accumulation of deposits that cause slow, progressive vision loss. Wet AMD, though less common, is more severe and responsible for most cases of advanced vision loss. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak blood or fluid, which can rapidly damage the macula.
There is no cure for dry AMD, though lifestyle modifications and supplements may help slow its development. Wet AMD can be treated with monthly injections into the eye to slow its progression, especially when it is diagnosed early. However, vision loss cannot be reversed once it has reached a certain point, so, researchers are still looking for more accessible and affordable treatments for all forms of AMD….
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Source: Technology Networks