New Therapy To Restore Vision?

Could Statins Help Restore Vision? Drugs Found to Clear Away Deposits That Cause Blindness in the Elderly

Age-related macular degeneration is leading cause of blindness in elderly. Sight loss is caused by fatty deposits building up behind the retina. Study: High-dose treatment with statin Lipitor cleared away fatty deposits. This led to visual improvement - raising hopes the disease could be halted .

Ben Spencer | February 4, 2016

Statins may reverse the most common cause of blindness, according to new research.

An estimated 20 million people worldwide suffer with dry age-related macular degeneration - known as dry AMD - a disease which causes blurred vision and eventually blindness.
Known as the ‘Alzheimer’s of the eye’ because of the way it robs elderly people of their sight, the condition affects a quarter of British over-60s.
Until now there have been very few treatments for the condition, but experts have discovered that statins - a cheap cholesterol drug already taken by millions - may provide a solution.

Classification of Age-Related Macular Degeneration vs. Age-Related Maculopathy. Source: http://www.healthplexus.net/article/classification-age-related-macular-degeneration-vs-age-related-maculopathy

<more at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3432036/Could-STATINS-help-restore-vision-Drugs-clear-away-deposits-cause-blindness-elderly.html; related links: http://consumer.healthday.com/eye-care-information-13/eye-and-vision-problem-news-295/high-dose-statin-treatment-may-help-some-battle-macular-degeneration-707727.html (High-Dose Statins May Ease Macular Degeneration for Some. The 'dry' form of the eye disease remains the leading cause of blindness in developed world. February 4, 2016) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/12140780/Statins-could-reverse-most-common-form-of-blindness.html (Statins could reverse most common form of blindness. The cholesterol-busting wonder drugs could have more benefits - preventing and reversing age-related macular degeneration. February 4, 2016)>