Psoriasis patients treated with biologic therapies had a 27% lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration compared to those using only topical corticosteroids, according to research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025.

The 15-year retrospective study of 22,901 patients over age 55 found psoriasis was associated with significantly higher AMD risk compared to control groups—56% higher than patients with major depressive disorder and 21% higher than those with melanocytic nevi. Both wet and dry forms of AMD were elevated in psoriasis patients, with associations appearing stronger for the wet form that can cause rapid vision loss.

“Our findings support a connection between psoriasis and AMD, both exudative and non-exudative, which could be mediated by shared lipid dysregulation,” said Dr. Alison Treichel, MD, of the University of Rochester.

The study used data from the US TriNetX collaborative network, comparing psoriasis patients to three control groups over a 10-year follow-up period. Researchers excluded patients with prior AMD diagnosis to ensure accurate incidence measurements.

The protective effect of biologics represents the study's most clinically significant finding, suggesting these anti-inflammatory treatments may have benefits beyond skin symptoms. However, the retrospective design and potential unmeasured confounders like smoking and cardiovascular disease limit definitive conclusions.The study also did not report effect size metrics such as hazard ratios or absolute incidence rates.

Researchers emphasized that patients with psoriasis should continue standard eye examinations and promptly report vision changes, though no specific screening recommendations can yet be made.

Source: EADV Congress 2025