This popular “therapy” should be strictly avoided — especially by the middle-aged and elderly
To see or not to see
A few years ago I read a survey that revealed which health issues concerned retirement-age and elderly people the most.
“Vision health” nearly topped the list.
That didn’t surprise me at all. It’s dreadful to imagine the isolation and fear that must come with late-life vision loss.
So would you gamble your vision in exchange for the slim possibility of a slight heart benefit?
Even the most reckless Vegas odds-maker wouldn’t recommend that bet.
Red flags and flashing lights
In 2011, I told you about a shocking aspirin study.
Those who took a daily low-dose aspirin were TWO TIMES more likely to develop wet age-related macular degeneration. “Wet” is the advanced form of AMD. And it sharply increases blindness risk.
Now, two new studies dramatically recharge the urgency of this issue.
Number One… About 5,000 subjects ranged in age from 40s to 80s. Researchers gave them eye exams every five years for 20 years. Regular aspirin use was significantly associated with wet AMD.
Number Two… A 15-year Australian study included more than 2,300 subjects. One of every four daily aspirin users developed wet AMD.
Those are frightening numbers. Frightening enough to prompt this suggestion from Whole Health Insider…
“If you’re a regular aspirin user, you should get a thorough eye exam as soon as possible to determine your AMD status.”
That’s stunning. Imagine how many patients would agree to aspirin therapy if their doctors told them they would need eye exams to make sure they weren’t going blind.
I’m going to guess… Close to zero.
Unfortunately, your doctor is probably unaware of this significant danger that lurks behind a daily low-dose aspirin. Crazy as it sounds, you might actually have to deliver this surprising news to him yourself.
Sources:
“Blinding Consequences of Aspirin” Whole Health Insider, 2/28/13, wholehealthinsider.com
“Regular aspirin users at higher risk of sight problems, research suggests” Martin Evans, The Telegraph, 10/3/11, telegraph.co.uk
