Does Long Term Intake of Aspirin Help Reduce the Risk of Macular Degeneration?
December 26, 2009
Haven’t we heard this one already? Aspirin does not help in slowing progression of macular degeneration according to an article in Ophthalmology reporting on a study in which participants randomized to take low-dose aspirin every other day had a nonsignificant 18% reduction in the risk of AMD compared with the placebo group after 10 years of follow-up. See the full story on MedPage Today.
ASA also not effective in diabetic retinopathy- we learned that a few years ago. ASA is a wonder drug, but not for the eye.
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2 Responses to “Does Long Term Intake of Aspirin Help Reduce the Risk of Macular Degeneration?”
we phaco surgeons dont even stop coumadin- its been well documented that no stopping of asa or coumadin is indicated- riskier to the pt’s health to stop it than any bleeding complication in the eye. that is now standard of care.
Aspirin is also not going to complicate diabetic retinopathy, for instance, in cases of vitreous hemorrhage. Aspirin is usually given to prevent heart attack and stroke.
In my practice, it does not need to be discontinued prior retinal surgery.
I will not speak for cataract surgeons and their preference for stopping aspirin prior to cataract surgery.
If I remember my pharmacology, aspirin effects the platelets and continues to effect them for 2 weeks after aspirin in stopped.
r
