Aspirin, time to get aspir-out!

According to a new study, long-term Aspirin use has been associated with increased risk of vision loss, specifically called age-related macular degeneration. This study finding may be concerning for the 19 percent of Americans, who take Aspirin on a regular basis. Aspirin is a drug that has shown to have heart-protective benefits and it is commonly used Americans with increased age. However, this study’s recent observation of a statistically significant higher incidence of age-related macular degeneration may lead people to reconsider their use of Aspirin. But what is this "age-related macular degeneration" all about, I hear you ask? Age-related macular degeneration, also known by the acronym AMD, commonly affects those who are 50 years old or older. This condition develops gradually and over time leads to destruction of the macula - this is the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision, thus any disruption can negatively affect vision. There are two main types of AMD: 1) “dry” AMD and 2) “wet” AMD. “Dry” AMD is the most common form and develops when the light-sensitive cells in the macula break down. This leads to gradual blurring of the central vision. “Wet” AMD, which is more severe and more rare, occurs when the blood vessels under the macula leak blood and fluid, which causes vision damage. So I suggest you cut down on the aspirin unless you want to go blind. In other news, Serena Williams’ dominating run at the majors is over after she lost to American teenager Sloane Stephens, who is headed to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Williams hurt her back in the eighth game of the second set, hampering her serve. She had treatment and recovered well enough to give herself a shot at winning the match, but the 19-year-old Stephens kept her composure in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory today.