Age-related visual impairment can be of an infectious nature. This conclusion was made by American scientists who found that in patients with age-related macular degeneration of the retina, the signs of a chlamydial infection. They believe that this may be due to damage to blood vessels.

The study was carried out under the leadership of Dr. Murat V Kalayoglu (Murat V. Kalayoglu) from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Disease Hospital in Boston. Scientists examined 43 patients of the eye clinic, of which 25 were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration - a special retina where most light-receiving cells are concentrated. It turned out that among the sick people there was a higher probability of detecting a high level of antibodies to the microorganism Chlamydia pneumoniae, which indicates an infection. This microbe causes inflammation in the pulmonary system, but it is believed that it can provoke a number of chronic diseases.

Scientists have previously established his connection with atherosclerosis.

As noted by the authors of the study, the pattern persisted even after a discount was made to other risk factors for eye diseases, such as smoking and age. It was also found out that the level of protective antibodies against other two types of microorganisms, which was determined by the researchers, was not increased in patients with age-related macular degeneration. This study appeared on the pages of the latest issue of the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.

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