An Aspirin A Day… Does Not Keep Diabetes Away
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Here’s some interesting news to share that might catch your eye—literally! Let's dive into the latest findings on aspirin and its impact on diabetic eye disease.
What Did the Study Find?
A recent substudy from the ASCEND trial, which looked at cardiovascular events in diabetes, aimed to see if aspirin could prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adults with diabetes. The study involved 15,480 patients in the U.K., all aged 40 or older and diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Half of these patients were given 100 mg of aspirin daily, while the rest received a placebo. Over an average follow-up period of 6.5 years, the researchers found that aspirin did not significantly prevent DR or lead to more sight-threatening eye bleeds compared to the placebo.
The Key Takeaways
- Efficacy: Aspirin did not significantly reduce the incidence of referable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. The occurrence was similar between the aspirin group (14.6%) and the control group (14.2%).
- Safety: The rate of serious eye bleeding events was also similar between both groups, reassuringly showing that aspirin use doesn’t increase the risk of such complications in people with diabetes.
What Does This Mean for You?
While aspirin may not be the magic bullet for preventing diabetic retinopathy, it’s good to know that its use for other health reasons, like preventing cardiovascular events, doesn’t add extra risk to your eyes.
Stay Proactive with Your Eye Health
Here at Ticho Eye Associates, we emphasize the importance of regular eye exams, especially for our patients with diabetes. Dr. Benjamin Ticho, with decades of experience in diagnosing and treating diabetic eye disease, recommends yearly eye exams for everyone with diabetes. If you're experiencing visual symptoms or have active diabetic eye disease, more frequent visits might be necessary.
We’re conveniently located in Chicago Ridge and Tinley Park, IL, and Munster, IN. Ready to take charge of your eye health? Call 708-873-0088 to schedule your appointment today!
Keep those eyes sparkling —and we look forward to seeing you at Ticho Eye Associates!