Study Links Aspirin To Vision Loss

According to a news story released Tuesday morning, ABC News reports a study from Sydney researchers that finds a link between aspirin and age-related blindness.

Aspirin is used to treat heart diseases, arthritis and other conditions, but researchers have now raised concerns about regular use of the drug.

According to ABC News, a team from the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research has found regular users are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration - the leading cause of blindness in older people.

Professor Paul Mitchell, director of the Centre for Vision Research at the institute, says the results were drawn from a 15-year study of more than 2,000 people over the age of 50 in the Blue Mountains. Professor Mitchell says the research is consistent with a European study released last year and another study in the U.S.

Professor Mitchell says aspirin has a real role to play in preventing cardiovascular diseases, and that people should not stop taking aspirin without consulting their doctor.

Macular Degeneration Foundation chief executive Julie Heraghty says the study sheds light on a devastating disease. However, Heraghty noted that more studies are needed to see if the finding is consistent.