Regular use of aspirin can more than double the risk of a leading cause of blindness in older people, researchers say.
Scientists found a link between taking aspirin on a regular basis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The association could not be explained by a history of heart disease – the most common reason for regular aspirin use – or smoking.
AMD occurs when the middle of the retina becomes damaged, leading to blurring of central vision.
Wet, or neovascular, AMD is the most serious form, and without treatment can quickly lead to deteriorated vision.
The new research compared rates of wet AMD among more than 2000 regular and non-regular users of aspirin over a period of 15 years.
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