Smokers are four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, according to Australian researchers.
The study followed 2,454 who were at least 49 years old at the beginning of the study, for ten years. The study showed that that smokers were four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who had never smoked, and they developed it an average of five years earlier.
Previous smokers were three times more likely to have an advanced form of the disease than never-smokers.
Smoking is considered the most preventable cause of Macular Degeneration.
Showing posts with label macular degeneration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label macular degeneration. Show all posts
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Smoking linked to Age-Related Blindness
Friday, April 13, 2007
Beta Carotene may not help against AMD
Beta Carotene pills, previously thought to be useful in slowing or preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration may not be as effective as scientists once thought.
A new study showed no benefit for beta carotene pills alone against the disease. These findings come from a study which tracked more than 21,000 male doctors for an average of 12 years. The participants took either 50mg of beta carotene or a dummy pill every other day.
Almost the same number of participants in each group developed age related macular degeneration, showing that the beta carotene neither increased nor decreased the risk of developing the disease.
The study did not include any woman, so further study will have to be done to find if the outcome is the same for women. Additionally, this study does not suggest that carrots are not helpful for preserving eyesight.
The best advice, scientists say, is to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day because its the combination of nutrients that seems most important.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Smoking increases risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
New research suggests that cigarette smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to go blind late in life. Researchers in the United Kingdom have concluded that smoking led to a two-to-threefold increase in the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration, a condition that blurs the sharp central vision (which we use for skills like reading,driving, and other activities requiring fine, sharp or straight-ahead vision), is the most common cause of legal blindness in those over age 55. Nearly one out of three people over the age of 75 are affected by the condition. There are approximately 10 million people in the United States affected with age-related macular degeneration, and about 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Simon P. Kelly, opthalmic surgeon and study-co-researcher told WebMD: "The studies confirmed that smokers were significantly more likely to develop age related macular degeneration than nonsmokers and that heavy smokers had the highest risk."
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration, and needs help learning how to live an independent life, please contact Independence for the Blind of West Florida.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Existing drugs may prove useful in treating eye diseases
A preliminary study done at the Penn State College of medicine has shown that minocycline, a common antibiotic often used to treat acne, may slow or prevent diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in persons aged 20 to 74.
Additionally, a Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation funded human clinical trial has shown that the drug Ranibizumab may be useful in treating diabetic macular edema. Ranibizumab is currently approved to treat age-related macular degeneration.
These findings are part of a new approach to research by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The foundation is targeting drugs that are already on the market or close to FDA approval for other conditions, and using these already approved drugs to treat diabetes-related problems. This saves time, reduces research costs and shortens the amount of time it takes to get the drug from research stage to the patient.
Both treatments will undergo secondary studies before they are approved for public use.
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