Using cells from 44 human eye donors, an international team of research scientists has identified three genes not previously known to be associated with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), paving the way for the development of much-needed new therapies.

AMD is the most common cause of sight impairment in those aged over 50, affecting more than 600,000 people in the UK. It is predicted to affect 288 million people worldwide by 2040. Previous research has been carried out to understand the genetic cause of the disease. However, it is still unknown what causes its development. There is currently no treatment for patients living with ‘dry’ macular degeneration - the most common form of the disease.

“Our main aim for conducting this research was to help tackle an area of unmet clinical need,” said study lead author Dr. Louise Porter, from the Department of Eye and Vision Science at the University of Liverpool and St Paul’s Eye Unit at Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Dr. Neil Ebenezer, Director of Research, Policy and Innovation at Fight for Sight, the UK charity that funded this research, goes on to say: “By identifying new gene targets, researchers have more options for developing new treatments.”

Sources:

1.Science News:
Scientists Find Three New Genes Linked to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

2.Medical Xpress:
Breakthrough in identifying new genes in age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness.