Cholesterol
lowering drugs can be used to treat blindness
A common cholesterol-lowering drug statin can restore
vision in the patients with a hard-to-treat version of the leading cause of
blindness in the developed world, according to a new research. Researchers at
Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School and the University of Crete
have conducted a phase I/II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of
statins in the treatment of patients with the dry form of age-related macular
degeneration (AMD).
The researchers found evidence that treatment with
high-dose atorvastatin (80mg) is associated with regression of lipid deposits
and improvement in visual acuity, without progression to advanced disease, in
high-risk AMD patients. Their findings not only further the connection between
lipids, AMD and atherosclerosis but also present a potential therapy for some
patients with dry AMD.
Researcher Joan W. Miller said that they found that
concentrated doses of statins carry the potential for clearing up the lipid
debris that can lead to vision impairment in a subset of patients with macular
degeneration. Miller added that the researchers hope that this promising
preliminary clinical trial will be the foundation for an effective treatment
for millions of patients afflicted with AMD.
The study is published in EBioMedicine.
Source: www.thehealthsite.com
09.02.2016
Never
consider the possibility of failure; as long as you persist, you will be
successful
Brian Tracy
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