Dr. Dimitra Skondra is the director and leader of the retina microbiome team at the University of Chicago. Her team is investigating the possible protective properties of Metformin in relationship to age-related macular degeneration.

Metformin has been used as an oral medication for type 2 diabetes for more than 30 years. Data was collected from patients that have been on metformin for diabetes or other indications to see if they have less incidence of AMD versus people that don’t take metformin. They found that patients that take metformin have significantly decreased risks for AMD.

The research led to the hypothesis that metformin was improving “gut health” by suppressing inflammatory pathways. This provided a protective element in neovascularization, the cause of wet AMD. Studies suggested many of the properties of metformin for promoting healthy aging and health is by promoting healthy microbiome. Dr. Skondra states, “the best tool we have now to promote healthy microbiome is a healthy diet.