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STATINS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A new study suggests that the strength of cholesterol medications (statins) may play a key role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can cause vision loss. Researchers reviewed health records of over 20,000 adults with diabetes and high cholesterol. They found that people taking medium- or high-intensity statins had a significantly lower risk of developing AMD over five years, while those on low-dose statins saw no eye benefit—though they still lived longer overall. This may explain why past research has shown mixed results about statins and AMD. The study also notes that stronger statins, while generally safe, carry rare but serious risks such as muscle injury or liver problems, so doctors need to weigh the pros and cons for each patient. Because this was a retrospective study and couldn’t confirm full medication use or capture all AMD cases, the authors call for large randomized trials to confirm the findings.
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Long-Term Metformin Use May Lower Risk of Dry AMD

By Dr. Kevin -
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Metformin, a common diabetes drug, might help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), especially the dry form. In a study of over 3,700 older diabetic patients, those who took metformin for at least five years had a lower AMD rate (3.3%) than those who didn’t (4.9%). The risk reduction was stronger for people taking it for six or more years. The benefit was clear for dry AMD but not significant fo r wet AMD. Researchers think metformin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help prevent AMD from developing, though it doesn’t seem to slow disease once advanced. Importantly, the study found that insulin didn’t affect AMD risk, while statins showed a protective effect, supporting the findings about metformin. Still, the authors caution that more research—especially long-term clinical trials—is needed to confirm whether taking metformin for many years truly lowers AMD risk.
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SLEEP AND EYE DISEASE

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A large UK study found that both too little and too much sleep may raise the risk of eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, with about seven hours of sleep per night appearing to be ideal. Poor sleep quality—especially insomnia or frequent daytime napping—was also linked to higher risk. Researchers believe inflammation plays a big role in this connection, especially for cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, suggesting that reducing inflammation could help protect eye health. Maintaining healthy sleep habits may therefore be an important part of preventing certain age-related eye diseases.
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FUCHS DYSTROPHY, SMOKING, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A study looked at lifestyle and health factors linked to Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), a progressive eye disease with no cure. Researchers compared 50 people with FECD to 50 similar people without it. They found FECD patients had more heart-related problems like high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation, smoked more (on average 11.2 vs. 6.1 pack-years), ate more calories and sodium, and had higher intakes of certain minerals. This suggests links between heart health, diet, and Fuchs’. Too much sodium and smoking may worsen oxidative stress, harming the eye’s corneal cells. Doctors might help Fuchs’ patients by encouraging quitting smoking, managing cardiovascular risk, and improving diet, which could potentially slow the disease’s progression.
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MAGNESIUM AND CATARACT RISK

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A study from China found that higher magnesium intake may help lower the risk of cataracts , especially in people who smoke, drink alcohol, or have other health risks like obesity and high blood pressure. Researchers analyzed data from over 8,000 adults in the U.S. and found that those who ate more magnesium were less likely to have had cataract surgery . Magnesium may protect the eyes by reducing oxidative stress , which increases with age and contributes to cataract formation. This effect was strongest in non-Hispanic white individuals and those with moderate income levels, and in people without heart disease. While the results suggest magnesium could help prevent cataracts, more research is needed to confirm this link.
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.04% Atropine Better than .01% or Ortho-K in Managing Myopia

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A Chinese clinical trial compared low-dose (0.01%) and mid-dose (0.04%) atropine eye drops with orthokeratology (ortho-K) to manage myopia in children. Over two years, 0.04% atropine was the most effective at slowing eye growth (axial elongation), which drives myopia progression. It outperformed both 0.01% atropine and ortho-K. However, 0.04% caused more light sensitivity (photophobia), though this declined over time. Critics of the study pointed out that subgroup sizes were small and behavior during the COVID-19 lockdowns (like time spent indoors) wasn’t accounted for, which could have skewed results. They also questioned conclusions about age-specific effectiveness due to limited data. Still, the overall finding stands: 0.01% atropine is not enough for effective myopia control, and higher doses like 0.04% may offer better results.
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Plaquenil and The Eye

By Dr. Kevin -
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 Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine are commonly used to treat lupus but may cause serious eye problems over time. A new study from China looked at data from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (2004–2024) and found that these drugs are linked to several vision-related side effects, including cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal degeneration, cystoid macular edema (CME), and optic atrophy. Researchers found that eye issues were more common in women and middle-aged patients. Cataracts showed up the fastest (about 4 months after starting the drug), while retinal degeneration took the longest (over 2.5 years). The drugs are believed to build up in eye tissues, especially in the retina, possibly causing long-term damage. The study suggests these medications carry a real risk of vision problems, and further research is needed to understand exactly how the damage occurs and how to prevent it.
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