People with chronic kidney disease may have a higher chance of developing age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, according to a large review of previous research.
The findings were published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology and suggest that kidney and eye health may be more closely connected than many people realize.
AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults.
It damages the macula, the central part of the retina that allows people to read, recognize faces, drive, and see fine details. Chronic kidney disease is another common condition that slowly reduces the kidneys’ ability to remove waste and extra fluid from the body.
Researchers led by Dr. Anas Alamoudi from Jeddah Eye Hospital wanted to understand whether these two conditions are linked. They reviewed human observational studies and genetic studies that explored kidney function and the risk of AMD.
The main analysis combined results from 19 studies. Overall, people with chronic kidney disease had about a 27% higher chance of having AMD than those without kidney disease. The strongest relationship was seen with nonexudative, or dry, AMD, the most common form of the condition.
The review also found that poorer kidney function was linked with a greater likelihood of AMD. People with an estimated glomerular filtration rate, known as eGFR, below 60 had higher odds of AMD. Individuals who had received dialysis for at least 90 days also appeared to face an even greater risk.
Researchers noticed a biological pattern as well. As kidney function became worse, the likelihood of AMD gradually increased. This type of dose-response relationship strengthens the possibility that declining kidney health may contribute to changes in the eye.
Two Mendelian randomization studies, which use genetic information to explore possible cause-and-effect relationships, also supported a link between lower kidney function and AMD. Although genetic studies cannot answer every question, they add extra evidence beyond ordinary observational research.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how vitamin B may help fight vision loss, and MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease.
Source: Jeddah Eye Hospital.
