Metformin, a medication used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, concurrently diminishes the chances of developing one of the most frequent causes of vision loss in older adults: neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Chicago, based on a study whose findings were published in the journal Ophthalmology Retina (OphRet).
Age-related macular degeneration is characterized as a chronic retinal condition that damages the macula—the eye’s central region responsible for sharp central vision. The neovascular form of the disease is considered one of the most severe, capable of rapidly inducing vision loss.
The investigators scrutinized medical records spanning the period from 2008 to 2017. The cohort comprised 22,205 individuals newly diagnosed with neovascular macular degeneration and 22,126 individuals without this condition. An additional observation group consisted of 12,000 diabetes patients.
The analysis substantiated that the use of metformin lowers the incidence of the disease. The most significant correlation was observed in patients who received a cumulative dosage of the medication ranging from 271 to 600 grams. A similar trend was also present among diabetic individuals, particularly those who were not concurrently affected by diabetic retinopathy, which involves damage to the retinal blood vessels.
Metformin remains among the most widely prescribed medications for managing type 2 diabetes. It functions by lowering blood glucose levels, enhancing tissue sensitivity to insulin, and reducing glucose production by the liver. Recently, experts have also been investigating its potential protective benefits for various organs, including the eyes.
The paper’s authors emphasize that these results are currently preliminary. Nevertheless, they suggest a potential association between metformin intake and a reduced risk of developing the severe form of macular degeneration.
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