Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disorder which in elderly people severely affects vision. Pharmaceutical research has already led to innovative therapies for AMD. Current projects could lead to even better therapies in the future.
Disease: Age-related Macular Degeneration
Last update: May 2005
Intro
FAQ
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What is it?
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disorder, which can lead to complete loss of central vision, leaving sufferers unable to read or drive. It is caused by the growth of new blood vessels underneath the retina depriving the eye of oxygen and nutrients. -
Who gets it?
AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and over in the developed world. It gets more common with age. A number of things are thought to cause AMD including family history, nutrition, smoking and exposure to sunlight.
The number of people suffering from AMD in Europe is estimated to be around 20 million. -
What can be done about it?
Laser treatment has recently proved to be effective. It destroys the blood vessels behind the retina whilst leaving the normal blood vessels unharmed.
In 2004 a new medication, which is injected directly into the eye, also became available. It works by preventing the growth of blood vessels behind the retina. -
What does the future hold?
There is a lot of research being done into treatments for AMD. Much of it concentrates on the development of medicines that do not have to be injected into the eye; this would make them more acceptable to patients.
Two research groups are currently looking into the possibility of switching off the genes responsible for AMD and the initial results of these exciting studies are expected later this year.