Research presented at the October American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Orlando, Florida revealed that people with sleep apnea may have an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York integrated large-scale cohort data with genetic analysis. Researchers evaluated age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk while taking into consideration potential contributing factors including age, smoking status and comorbidities. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses was also utilized to determine a possible causal relationship.
A notable association between sleep apnea and a greater risk of developing AMD was discovered. The study results highlight the need for identifying sleep issues so that those issues can be properly managed. Proper management of sleep apnea could help prevent the onset of AMD in affected patients.
