Everyday diabetes medicine could treat common cause of blindness (Metformin for wet & dry AMD)

Medical Xpress / University of Liverpool / BMJ Open Ophthalmology ^ | Feb. 2, 2026

[ConservativeMind]

Doctors have found that metformin, an everyday medicine for diabetes, is associated with less progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in western countries. In a recent study, people with diabetes over the age of 55 years taking metformin were 37% less likely to develop the intermediate stage of AMD over a five-year period compared to those not taking metformin.

AMD is a disease that affects the central retina or macular at the back of the eye. It eventually causes the light-sensitive tissue to die off (geographic atrophy, a form of dry AMD) or be damaged by abnormal blood vessel growth (wet AMD). Intermediate and advanced AMD affects 10–15% of people over 65 years of age, and is the most common cause of blindness in high-income countries.

Geographic atrophy has no treatment in the UK and Europe, while treatments for wet AMD are expensive and unpleasant (repeated injections into the eye).

The research used pictures taken of the eyes of 2,000 people attending the routine diabetic eye disease screening program in Liverpool over five years. The researchers assessed whether AMD was present in the photographs and how severe it was, and then compared those taking metformin and those who were not. They also adjusted for factors that might bias the result. The odds of developing intermediate AMD over five years in the metformin group were 0.63 compared to the no-metformin group (95% confidence range 0.43 to 0.92).

A potential benefit from metformin in AMD has been suspected before, but this is the first study to grade AMD from eye photographs.

Dr. Nick Beare, an eye doctor who led this research, says, "Most people who suffer from AMD have no treatment, so this is a great breakthrough in our search for new treatments."

---

TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: amd; diabetes; eyes; eyesight; metformin

[ConservativeMind]

Metformin reduces both wet and dry forms of AMD from progressing by 37% over five years.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[ConservativeMind]

This seems to tell us there is a strong blood sugar / insulin issue with AMD.

[Pontiac]

They should check it for reducing the progression of Alzheimer’s which they have taken to calling Type 3 Diabetes.

But they need to find the lowest dose that accomplishes the desired effect.

Metformin has some nasty side effects.

[Mean Daddy]

Agreed. Doctor diagnosed me as pre-diabetic, Type 2 and put me on it but had issues with. Another person I know that used it said I should have toughed it out. Been on a lot of different meds over the years but Metformin was nasty.

[LeonardFMason]

Try Extended Release. I take 1750mg of MetforminER with few issues.

Metformin is kind of a miracle drug. Google it.