A study of low dose aspirin and age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and associated vision loss can be a frightening prospect. For unknown reasons, the macula, an area of specialised cells in the retina which is responsible for detailed, central vision, deteriorates as we age.
Two of three RetCam Vans that travel around south-eastern Australia to capture retinal images from participants in the ASPREE-AMD study.
There has been some question about the effect of aspirin on AMD for many years. It is possible that daily low dose aspirin may be of benefit in the early stages of AMD, but not the later stages. However, no one really knows because research findings have been inconsistent or statistically insignificant. Only a large scale randomised trial such as ASPREE can properly determine the effect of aspirin on AMD.
The ASPREE-AMD study will analyse and compare retinal images to determine if low dose aspirin can prevent the onset or progression of AMD.
- If aspirin is shown to be beneficial, it could preserve the sight of millions of older people around the world.
- If aspirin is shown not to be effective, it will become an important determinant of the overall evaluation of risks versus benefits of aspirin in healthy older people.
What does participation involve?
Inside the RetCam Van. To preserve image quality on the road, each retinal imaging camera has been mounted on a purpose -built stabilizing table within the van. Each vehicle also has a broad-based hydraulic levelling system and generator.
We take a set of retinal photographs at baseline, repeated 3 years and possibly 5 years after commencing ASPREE study medication.
Retinal imaging cameras are onsite at the ASPREE National Co-ordinating Centre in Prahran, the Monash Biomedical Imaging (MBI) facility in Clayton (Melbourne), The Clinical Trials Centre at the Canberra Hospital and the Menzie’s Research Institute in Tasmania. Three vehicles fitted with specialised imaging equipment (RetCam Vans) travel to participants outside these areas. An additional two mobile retinal cameras are couriered to ASPREE sites such as Wollongong, Mildura, the Sapphire Coast and Adelaide.
All retinal photographs are reviewed by an ophthalmologist/retinal specialist free of charge. Significant abnormalities will be reported back to your GP.
Thank you to all ASPREE participants, who have had retinal photographs taken by our team or have provided images taken by your eye care provider. Enrolment into ASPREE-AMD has now closed.
How to find out more about the ASPREE-AMD study:
- Download the AMD fact sheet
- Download the ASPREE-AMD study information card
- Ring 1800 728 745 (toll free from a landline)
Collaborators:
- Monash University
- The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)
- University of Iowa (USA)
- GP co-investigators
Funding:
- The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant 2013-2017 ($992,000)
- The Phyllis Connor Memorial Trust managed by Norman Bourke and Equity Trustees funded the first RetCam Van
- The Jack Brockhoff Foundation grant of $25,000 for purchase of a retinal image camera
- The Eric Ormond Baker Foundation grant of $20,000 awarded to CERA towards the purchase of a retinal imaging camera
- NHMRC grant of $10,000 awarded to CERA towards the purchase a retinal camera for ASPREE-AMD
- Monash University funded 2 further RetCam Vans