Khaberni - A recent study has shown that "metformin," a common drug for treating diabetes, slows the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the most common cause of blindness in Western countries.
The study found that people with diabetes aged over 55 who took "metformin" were 37% less likely to develop moderate age-related macular degeneration over five years compared to those who did not use the drug.
Age-related macular degeneration is known as a disease that affects the central retina (macula) at the back of the eye, leading to damage or death of light-sensitive tissues. The disease appears in two main forms: dry macular degeneration or wet macular degeneration caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels. Moderate and advanced macular degeneration affects about 10-15% of people over 65, equivalent to about 1.1 to 1.8 million people in the United Kingdom, making it the most common cause of blindness in high-income countries.
The study was based on eye images of 2000 people who participated in the routine eye examination program for diabetes patients in Liverpool over five years. Researchers assessed the presence and severity of macular degeneration in the images, then compared those who took "metformin" with those who did not, adjusting the results for age, sex, and duration of diabetes.
The results showed that the likelihood of developing moderate macular degeneration over five years was 0.63 for "metformin" users compared to the group not using the drug.
Dr. Nick Bear, the ophthalmologist who led the study, said: "Most people who suffer from age-related macular degeneration receive no treatment, so this is a significant achievement. What we need now is to test 'metformin' as a treatment in a clinical trial, as it has the potential to save the sight of many people."
