US researchers have found patients prescribed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) to treat Alzheimer’s disease have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), compared with untreated patients.

Analysing the data of 21,823 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, aged 55-80 years and with no preexisting AMD diagnosis, the research team found each additional year of AChEI treatment was associated with a 6% lower risk of developing AMD.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have anti-inflammatory effects but it remains unclear if they modify the risk of AMD, wrote researchers in JAMA Ophthalmology. “Randomised clinical trials would be needed to determine if there is a cause-and-effect relationship and further research is required to validate these findings across diverse populations.”