Do People With AMD Have a Higher Risk of COVID Complications?
Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who become infected with COVID-19 may have an elevated risk of severe illness, a study suggests. But eye experts caution that the link between AMD and COVID is unclear, and more research is needed.
Why might COVID complications be worse in people with AMD?
People with macular degeneration have chronic inflammation. Over time, this hyper-stimulated immune response can damage cells in the retina and cause vision loss.
Doctors suspect that inflammation drives severe COVID complications and leads to a higher risk of death.
There are other reasons why COVID complications might be worse in people with macular degeneration. Many people with AMD are 65 or older and have other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Possible link between COVID, inflammation and macular degeneration
Researchers studied 6,398 people infected with COVID during the first wave of the pandemic. Patients with AMD were three times more likely to die—and die more quickly—than those without AMD. One out of five patients with AMD required intubation.
But experts point out that the study was small and included only 88 patients with AMD. And of those patients, the type and severity of their AMD is unclear. A larger and more detailed study is needed to clarify the risk of COVID complications in people with AMD.
Newer research
Another study reveals a possible genetic link between AMD and COVID-19. A variant of the PDGFB gene, which plays a role in wet AMD’s blood vessel dysfunction may explain the higher rates of infection and severe COVID outcomes in AMD patients. The research showed this gene variant was present at higher levels in COVID patients with AMD.
While this research is helpful in understanding the interplay of AMD and COVID, more research is needed to better understand this genetic link.
Take steps to protect your health
- You may want to wear a face mask in public places during cold/flu season
- Maintain social distance
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly
- Avoid public and private gatherings (even with family and friends) if possible
2. Talk to your ophthalmologist about your treatment plan
- Protect yourself with a COVID-19 vaccination and stay current with booster vaccinations.
- A COVID vaccine prepares your immune system to fight the virus and can prevent serious illness if you are exposed
- Get a flu shot during flu/cold season.