Blinding Eye Disease Linked to Cardiovascular Conditions

• Patients with a particular type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are likely to have advanced heart valve disease, carotid artery disease, or a type of stroke resulting from heart failure or a heart attack.
• The study performed at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, pinpoints the high risk of cardiovascular and carotid artery disease connected to the eye condition.
• Published in "Opthalmology,"  further research will lead to enhancing and saving vision, and reducing undiagnosed heart risks.
• "This study is the first to establish a strong link between the leading cause of blindness, AMD, and heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide." says the study's lead author, R. Theodore, who is a professor of ophthalmology at Icahn School of Medicine.
• The macula is the central and crucial part of the retina, which helps in driving vision deterioration in AMD.
• AMD is the main cause of vision impairment and blindness in people over 65. Drusen is the yellow cholesterol that deposits behind the retinal epithelium pigment and is the main symptom of early AMD.
• "This study has opened the door to further productive multidisciplinary collaboration between the ophthalmology, cardiology, and neurology services." According to Jagat Narula, director of the cardiovascular imaging program.
• The research can help determine the priority of vascular patients for the detection and prevention of blinding diseases.

Source- ET Healthworld