More Evidence of Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Aspirin Use

A few small, short, prospective studies have suggested that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with aspirin use. In this prospective, population-based, case-control, Australian study, researchers assessed this association in 3654 older adults (mean age, 64; ≈50% current or former smokers; 257 regular baseline aspirin users); follow-up data (every 5 years for 15 years) were available for 2389 participants.

Neovascular AMD developed in 63 participants. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, and several cardiovascular disease risk factors, risk for developing neovascular AMD was twice as high in aspirin users than in nonusers. Regular acetaminophen use was not associated with AMD risk.