Contrary to the expectations of some scientists, cholesterol-lowering ‘statin’ drugs (such as Lipitor or Zocor) do not appear to stave off age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the eye.

In fact, a review of data from the Cardiovascular Health Study suggests that taking a statin may slightly increase the risk of AMD, investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham report.

Macular degeneration is a condition in which there is progressive deterioration of the central area of the retina, resulting in gradual sight loss in the center of the field of vision.

Although several studies have examined the link between statins and AMD, the results have been mixed - with some showing a benefit while others demonstrate no association or increased risk, Dr. Gerald McGwin, Jr. and his associates note in the Archives of Ophthalmology for January.

As the researchers explain, some have theorized that AMD results from hardening of the arteries, in which case statin drugs should be protective. However, McGwin’s group has previously found that cholesterol levels were actually lower in patients with AMD than in those without, and other groups have suggested that High cholesterol may paradoxically lower the risk of AMD.

To further explore this issue, McGwin and colleagues analyzed data from 2755 subjects age 65 and older who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study. They all had eye exams, which uncovered AMD in 390 subjects.

The raw figures indicated that statin use had no effect on the prevalence of AMD. However, after accounting for multiple demographic, behavioral and medical factors, the researchers found that statins increased the likelihood of AMD by 13 percent. Further adjustment for age, gender and race led to “a modest trend” of increased risk, of 40 percent.

Summing up, the investigators say that whether statins encourage or hinder AMD “is still an issue of current debate,” which can only be decided by large observational studies.

SOURCE: Archives of Ophthalmology, January 2006.