Charity advises caution over aspirin link to AMD

Patients who take aspirin regularly have an increased risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study by Australian scientists - but the Macular Society has warned patients with heart disease not to stop taking the drug.

Helen Jackman, chief executive of the Macular Society, said: 'For patients with cardiovascular disease who are taking aspirin, the risk of heart attack is higher than the risk of developing wet AMD. We urge patients not to stop taking prescribed aspirin without speaking to their doctors, In addition, there are treatments for wet AMD as long as it is diagnosed in time.'