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Researchers in Taiwan have shown that the rate of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was significantly lower in people with type 2 diabetes who were taking a common medication for diabetes, metformin. The study suggests that the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of metformin can protect against AMD while controlling diabetes. The research will be presented today at the 2018 AAA, the 122nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
It has long been known that inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of diabetes and AMD. As metformin suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress, researchers in Taiwan have hypothesized that diabetes medication may also protect against AMD, one of the leading causes of blindness among Americans over 50, affecting about 2.1 million people in the country.
Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, they collected data on all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from January 2001 to December 2013. , dividing them into two groups: those who took metformin (45,524 patients) and those who did not (22,681). After following both groups for 13 years, the researchers found that patients in the metformin group had a significantly lower risk of developing AMD. Half of the patients in the metformin group had AMD compared to the control group.
"Our study is the first to reveal the protective effect of metformin on the development of AMD," said lead researcher Yu-Yen Chen, MD. "Additional studies are needed to determine how well metformin protects against the development of AMD, it's an exciting development for at-risk patients."
AMD is a degenerative disease that occurs when a part of the retina called macula is damaged. This is the part of the eye that offers a clear and central vision that allows you to see the objects straight. Over time, central vision loss can interfere with daily activities, such as the ability to drive, read and see faces clearly.
It's a complex disease that involves, genetics, the environment, lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet, and systemic diseases such as heart disease. The way the disease develops is not fully understood, but researchers have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation play a critical role in the development and progression of AMD. Drusen formation, the most recent clinical discovery, results from a localized inflammatory response.
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Material provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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