Adults with age-related macular degeneration have a significantly higher risk for death from a myocardial infarction or stroke in the next decade, with increased severity of eye disease correlated with a greater increase in mortality risk, according to an article published online February 27 by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Age-related macular degeneration, which affects the center of the retina (the macula), is most common in elderly people; it is a major cause of untreatable blindness in this population in many developed countries.

In the current study, Australian researchers assessed general and eye health of over 3,600 people, all of whom were aged 49 years and above in 1992-1994 at the start of the study.

A total of 2,335 people were re-examined five years later, and 1,952 people were examined again 10 years after baseline. Examinations included physical checks as well as photographs of the retina.

Deaths and their causes among participants were tracked against entries made to the national register.

Among people under the age of 75 year at baseline, early age-related macular degeneration was associated with a doubling in the risks of mortality due to myocardial infarction or stroke within the next decade.

People with late-stage eye disease at baseline had 5 times the risk of mortality due to myocardial infarction, and 10 times the risk of mortality due to stroke.

The findings could have important implications for treatment because there are some concerns that current treatments for the eye disease might increase stroke risk.