A new genetic epidemiology study has found evidence that aspirin use may increase the risk of developing early and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
However, the association appears to be mediated changes in lipid metabolism rather than a direct effect of the drug itself.
In the study, published in Eye,1 the Chinese researchers said despite the “robust genetic evidence”, the findings should not prompt patients to stop prescribed aspirin therapy.
Study authors said although increasing evidence suggests an association between aspirin use and AMD, the potential causal relationship between them remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the causal genetic association and potential mediators between aspirin use and AMD using Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis.
The analysis revealed that aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of both early and dry AMD.
… despite the “robust genetic evidence”, the findings should not prompt patients to stop prescribed aspirin therapy
A mediation analysis indicated that aspirin use is associated with a lower level of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), an elevated serum apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) concentration, and an increased risk of early and dry AMD.
Multivariable MR analysis further showed that after adjusting for LDL-C and APOA1, the direct effect of aspirin on AMD was no longer statistically significant, suggesting lipid-related factors may be driving the association.
Reference
- Zhu J, Zeng C, Tang R, et al. Causal relationship between aspirin use and age-related macular degeneration. Eye. 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41433-026-04574-2.