I would expect that it also causes hypoxia and drusen to form, resulting in macular degeneration.
Hypoxia and AMD
Hypoxia is a key trigger of AMD, and can be caused by a number of factors, including reduced blood flow to the retina, diseases like obstructive sleep apnea, and aging.
Drusen and hypoxia
Drusen deposits can create a relative hypoxic condition in the outer retina, which can damage the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The RPE is essential for maintaining the photoreceptors, and damage to it can lead to visual loss.
Drusen and autophagy
Impaired autophagy, a cellular proteostasis pathway, can contribute to the accumulation of drusen. Autophagy can be stimulated by oxidative stress, which can interact with hypoxia to play a role in AMD pathogenesis.
Drusen and cholesterol metabolism
Disrupted cholesterol metabolism in the retina may be linked to drusen.
Drusen are deposits that contain damaged cellular proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and lipoprotein particles. They can be caused by a number of factors, including a buildup of unwanted material in retinal cells, or when immune cells don’t function efficiently.