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Research to Prevent Blindness

Statins May Treat Dry AMD

Left: before statin treatment; right: same patient, one year after statin treatment. Photo: Harvard University

 RPB-supported researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School and scientists at University of Crete have conducted a phase I/II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) for the treatment of patients with the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Although effective treatments are available for the wet form of AMD, they are currently lacking for the more prevalent dry form.

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.

Read the story.

Read the study.

Related News: Feature Story, Macular Degeneration, Top Story

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