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Aspirin Use and Vision Loss

Aspirin Use and Vision Loss

A new study reveals aspirin use, and vision loss go hand-in-hand. The regular use of aspirin is linked to an increased risk of vision loss with aging. About 19% of adults in the United States reported using aspirin on a regular basis.

Many of the people using aspirin regularly have reported they use aspirin for prolonging heart benefits, and continue to use more aspirin as they age. Although aspirin has been known to prevent heart attacks, and other cardiovascular problems, recent studies suggest that long-term aspirin use is associated with adverse side-effects.

What is Macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a chronic disease of the eyes that causes loss of vision in the center of the vision field. Macular degeneration an age-related disease that causes the retina in the back of the eye to leak blood, and fluid. This disease decreases your quality of life by causing blurred central vision, or blind spots. Daily activities, such as driving, reading, and recognizing faces become increasingly more difficult. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for the elderly.

Symptoms

• Blurred, or blind spots in the center of your vision
• Gradual increased haziness in your central vision, or complete vision
• Hallucinations of shapes, or people
• Difficulty recognizing faces, and other objects
• The need for a brighter light when reading, or doing other activities
• Difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as stepping inside from outside on a sunny day
• Increased blurriness of text
• Decrease in color intensity

If you have noticed a significant change in your vision with age, consult your doctor for an eye exam.

So what can you do to prevent macular degeneration? Set appointments regularly for eye exams. Early detection can delay vision loss. Eat nuts, and fruit.

Smokers are twice as likely to develop symptoms of macular degeneration, do not smoke. Last, but not least do not rely strictly on aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular problems, and other remedies. Tell your doctor about your concerns, and ask for recommendations on aspirin supplements. Although aspirin has been known to prevent heart attacks, and other cardiovascular problems, recent studies suggest that long-term aspirin use is associated with adverse side-effects.

With these new studies coming to light, people are beginning to wonder how to weigh the options of preventing a heart-attack, or going blind. It is not so much a matter of dying from a heart-attack, or going blind. Using aspirin for occasional use does not show many harmful side-effects. Aspirin can save a life during the event of a heart-attack, so of course aspirin is recommended in the event a heart-attack would occur. Use aspirin with caution, occasionally.