Posted on 12/10/2024 3:21:33 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A study has linked low levels of oxygen in the blood overnight—a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea—with wet age-related macular degeneration.
The findings suggest obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be a modifiable risk factor associated with the "wet" form of late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The team conducted a sleep study involving 225 participants aged over 50 with different stages of AMD and measured their oxygen levels over three nights with a home-based finger oximeter. Their level of OSA was calculated based on the oxygen levels in their blood overnight.
The results showed that moderate-to-severe OSA, which results in lower levels of oxygen in the blood overnight, was associated with an increased risk of having wet AMD compared to those without OSA.
Nocturnal hypoxia often occurs as a result of OSA, where a person's airway becomes blocked or narrowed overnight, reducing their oxygen intake.
A lack of oxygen overnight can cause various health issues over time, but the light-sensitive retina in the eye may be particularly sensitive to small drops in oxygen levels.
"The retina is very active at night—it has its highest need for energy while it recovers from the day," says Dr. Abbott.
Many people diagnosed with sleep apnea use a CPAP device at night, which helps them breathe easier by providing a constant flow of air through a mask.
Currently known risk factors for AMD include smoking status, diet, age and genetics.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I was diagnosed with OSA but only after having chronic a-fib, two cases of sub-dural hematoma (no head injury, but related to blood thinners), acute respiratory failure. My often interrupted sleep was thought to be due to an enlarged prostate. (Having to pee at night frequently was a symptom, but low oxygen as I fell asleep kept me awake until I noticed that I had to pee— thought I would go back to sleep. I was having oxygen level drops about 45 times an hour.
The first time I was put on oxygen at night I slept through the night. Amazement.
It has been three years with my ventilator— I need more pressure than a CPAP
provides. I am 79 and so I needed this years ago but now feel mush improved today. My message is this problem can be undetectable and doctors are getting better at requesting tests for OSA but in my case they were decades late.
Wet AMD develops in approximately 10% of people living with dry AMD. In 2019, about 19.8 million Americans, or about 12.6% of the population, were living with AMD.Wet AMD is a progressive disease. It occurs when new blood vessels form in the back of the eye and then leak or burst. The fluid leakage can cause scarring on the macula, a central section of the retina that helps provide clear central vision.
Without treatment, wet AMD can lead to irreversible vision loss. Even with treatment, a person may still experience some vision loss as the disease progresses.
Wet macular degeneration symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen quickly. They may include:
- Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent.
- Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
- The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work.
- Difficulty adjusting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant or theater.
- Increased blurriness of printed words.
- Difficulty recognizing faces.
- A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in the field of vision.
- Macular degeneration doesn't affect side vision, so it doesn't cause total blindness.
It's interesting that the "Wet" AMD, retinal scar tissue, and sleep apnea are related per this article. I'll raise this with my retina doctor (he has not inquired about sleep apnea).
Thanks again for posting, CM!
My MIL has macular degeneration and uses a CPAP. Interesting.
“this problem can be undetectable and doctors are getting better at requesting tests for OSA but in my case they were decades late.”
My experience, too. I was in my late 50s or early 60s when I noticed increased tiredness. I finally mentioned it to my doc during an annual physical and he suggested an overnight sleep study (polysomnography). To my amazement, the results showed I had many oxygen desaturation events during the night. I kind of refused to acknowledge getting old and I had a problem, so it took me a year to get the CPAP prescription filled and another couple years before I started using it.
I guess there was no way for the doctors to know you are having problems unless you complain about something like tiredness or excessive night time urination.
May I suggest that both sleep apnea and macular degeneration are age related?
Thanks for posting that. My auntie suffers from that. Has had various treatments and recently resorted to surgery. She doesn’t sleep well. Could be apnea related. She’s barely 5 feet and eats too many cookies. I take her out for lunch every 6 weeks or so. Poor gal doesn’t get around very easily though she can walk, and the exercise is good for her. The stop at the See’s candy shop isn’t a good idea but I indulge her. She’s entitled at her age I guess.
I use a cpap for a number of years but frequently woke up in tremor unable TO BREATH THE FEAR WAS strong I would often rip the mask off and toss it across the room. I also tried a custom mouthpiece made by a dentist that was supposes to help align your mouth and jaws as to keep my airway open that was pure torture. I understand the issue but so far, the ‘cures’ have been as bad as the problem!
“too many cookies and candy” — guilty as charged!
I keep meaning to shed the extra 20 pounds, but it’s tough. I need to get back to calorie counting for a year. It helps with so many things. Good luck to Auntie.
Nasal pillow. Vary minimalist.
If you have a moment where you feel like you can’t breath, you can just open your mouth and inhale as deeply as you like.
No matter what, going without treatment for apnea is worse.
BFL
Not surprised.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.