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(03/26/2025) VA researchers with the Dorn Research Institute at Columbia, SC, VA Medical Center found common medications taken to treat osteoporosis can increase the risk of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by almost 5% for each year taken. Bisphosphonates, a class of medications commonly used to treat low bone density, also increase the inflammation associated with AMD. The study further showed that certain antidepressants, which can also decrease inflammation, lowered the risk for AMD. The researchers used the electronic health records of nearly 300,000 Veterans who received an eye scan between 2005 and 2024. The results demonstrate inflammation's role in AMD and suggest medications that decrease inflammation may help prevent the condition. (Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Mar. 3, 2025)