Link between Age-related macular degeneration & stroke risk

Researchers have found the people with age related macular degeneration are more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke.

The study, which followed more than 3000 people, (who were all over the age of 49 at the onset of the study) for 10 years, found that those who had the late stage of the disease at the onset of the study were had five times the risk of dying from a heart attack and 10 times the risk of dying from a stroke.

Individuals who developed early age-related macular degeneration during the study had twice the risk of dying form a heart attack or stork within the next decade.

These findings are significant because there is concern that some current treatments for the disease may increase stroke risk.

Researchers caution that the findings are based on a relativley small study and should be interpreted with caution.