Increased alcohol intake may be a causal risk factor for geographic atrophy

Alcohol consumption may be a causal risk factor for geographic atrophy (GA) while smoking behavior may be associated with risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study.

In this study, 16,144 individuals with AMD and 17,832 individuals as controls were included.

Smoking initiation as well as lifetime smoking was associated with higher risk of advanced AMD. Conversely, smoking cessation was associated with lower risk of advanced AMD.

Alcohol consumption was associated with higher risk of GA.

The researchers noted that there was not enough evidence to find an association between genetically predicted blood pressure, body mass index, and glycemic traits, and advanced AMD.

The authors concluded that “as there are currently no known treatments for GA, this finding has important public health implications.”

Reference
Kuan V, Warwick A, Hingorani A, et al. Association of Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Glycemic Risk Factors With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Mendelian Randomization Study. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online November 04, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.4601