According to recent research, taking aspirin regularly for 10 years is likely to double the risk of vision loss. As quoted ZeeNews, the scientists stated that aspirin may increase the chance of developing the disease wet age-related macular degeneration (Wet AMD), which is an eye condition that can cause blindness.
Researches from the University of Wisconsin used data from the Beaver Dam Eye Study about age-related eye disease. Eye examination conducted every 5 years during the 20-year period at nearly 5,000 participants. Participants, aged 43-86 years, and then asked if they regularly took aspirin at least two times a week for more than 3 months. The average duration of 14.8 years were followed up. Then, the researchers measure the risk of the various types of AMD. Wet AMD is found only 10 percent of the cases, but this can lead to severe vision loss, while Dry AMD were found to be common and lighter, although it can develop into Wet AMD at any time.
The result showed there are 512 Dry AMD cases and 117 Wet AMD cases during the study. Researchers found those who took aspirin for 10 years had a 1.4 percent risk of Wet AMD, compared to only 0.6 percent in the non-aspirin users. However, no relationship was found between aspirin consumption and Dry AMD. According to the researchers, further studies are needed to confirm these findings. If this is true, the findings could help develop ways to prevent Wet AMD. Aspirin is often referred to as a "wonder drug". In addition to acting as a painkiller, aspirin is also able to act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
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