Does daily aspirin cause Macular Degeneration?

I was diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration last week. Since then I have searched articles.....50% says daily use of aspirin causes this. 50% says aspirin does not cause it. So, what is the truth?

I think its a chicken-or-egg thing here. ARMD is usually in fact, age-related, like difficulty focusing at close distances. And in certain age groups, people are more likely to be taking daily aspirin for other reasons, like heart conditions or lower back pain. Of course, people in this age group are more likely to be taking other medications, too.

So it's not surprising that there would be a higher incidence of the condition among people who are on an asipirin regimen. There's also probably a much higher incidence of arthritis. That doesn't mean aspirin is the cause. I think the jury is still out on this one...

Fortunately, even advanced macular degeneration doesn't cause complete loss of sight. And supplements with lutein, bilberry, and eyebright are effective at preventing the condition from worsening.

Good luck to you- let's hope for a medical breakthrough in the next 5-10 years!

Great answer Report It

New evidence strongly suggests that smoking is high on the list of risk factors for macular degeneration. Other risk factors for AMD include having a family member with AMD, high blood pressure, lighter eye color, and obesity. Some researchers believe that over-exposure to sunlight also may be a contributing factor in development of macular degeneration, but this theory has not been proven conclusively. High levels of dietary fat also may be a risk factor for developing AMD.

Drug Side Effects. Some cases of macular degeneration can be induced from side effects of toxic drugs such as Aralen (chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug) or phenothiazine. Phenothiazine is a class of anti-psychotic drugs, including brand names of Thorazine (chlorpromazine, which is also used to treat nausea and vomiting, and intractable hiccups), Mellaril (thioridazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Trilafon (perphenazine) and Stelazine (trifluoperazine).

no not that i know of.

there are so many questions regard ARMD and the cause...from what i know (having worked with many clients with ARMD extended sun reposure (without sunglasses, smoking and family history all play a role in developing the disese) - perhaps asprin thins the blood and therefore make wet ARMD more at risk of bleeding, but 90% of cases of ARMD are actually dry and i don't see a connection between the two...i understand your frustration, and that there is little that can be done - remember that "eye vitamins" are soooo important when you've been diagnosised to reduce the rate of degeneration - trust me - it works!!! although you can't get your vision back - remember that you will never be completely blind - you'll have your periferal (side) vision...good luck...and take care...

Please see Google search for more details on Aspirin and Age- related macular degeneration(AMD). Research reports say that aspirin, cholesterol lowering statin drugs and other blood thinners cause Macular Degeneration.