Is exercising linked to wet AMD?
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology (and reported by The New York Times) found an unexpected answer.
It might be.
The study analyzed data from over 200,000 East Asian participants. It found that East Asian men that participated in “vigorous exercise” had a greater risk of wet AMD.
What constitutes vigorous exercise?
To the point of sweating, five or more times a week.
Why the greater risk?
Good question. One theory is that excessive exercise could affect the local circulation in and around the choroid, which may be associated with angiogenesis.
So, a little exercise is good but a lot is bad?
Even the authors comment on the confusing results. They noted that other studies (i.e. Beaver Dam Eye Study, Blue Mountains Eye Study) have found that people who exercise three or more times a week were less likely to develop wet AMD. The authors state that further research is needed but point out that although the results are surprising, data from such a large cohort is hard to ignore.
