Research / Studies

Gene Therapy Cures Color Blindness- AMD Next?

Gene therapy has cured color blindness in monkeys, say researchers from the University of Washington and the University of Florida College of Medicine. They have shown that they can safely cure a cone disease in a primate. Five weeks after the genes were transferred by a harmless adeno-associated virus, the monkeys began to acquire color vision. Potentially, this could help AMD by rescuing targeted cone cells.

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New Genes Associated With AMD Identified

Three new genes, associated with AMD, have been identified in a large National Eye Institute study. The study sheds light on a biological pathway for AMD development involving cholesterol. Since it is believed that early AMD is affected by an accumulation of oxidation products of cholesterol and other lipids in the retinal pigment epithelium, studying these genetic variations and their biochemical pathway may lead to future AMD treatments.

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Cataract Surgery and AMD

The AREDS study, funded by the National Eye Institute, showed that cataract surgery improved vision in AMD patients. 1,939 eyes were evaluated for visual acuity after cataract surgery. After one year, the 865 eyes that were still available for study, showed significant statistical gains.

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Retinal Implants

The International Symposium on Artificial Retinal Prosthesis (September, 2009) demonstrated various methods of implanting chips to provide vision.  A German study indicated that some patients were able to read letters eight centimeters high.  In one of the systems, a chip, implanted under the cells of the retina, converts light to electrical signals, which are sent to the retinal nerve cells.  Two other German researchers place a camera into eyeglasses, which then conveys data to the chip, which converts it to electrcal impulses that are then sent to the retinal nerves.

Stopping AMD at the Molecular Level

Researchers at the University College London report that for the first time that they have discovered how a common blood protein is involved in inflammation and damage to the eye. They studied two proteins involved in drusen formation. Uncontrolled C-reactive protein activity causes damage to the retina and the debris of broken up retinal cells is deposited as drusen.  C-reactive protein prevents Factor H from clumping and initiating drusen formation.

Funding for Retinitis Pigmentosa and AMD Research at Harvard Medical School

Schepens Eye Institute at Harvard Medical School received an unrestricted grant to develop human retinal cell based therapies for eye diseases.  Although the initial focus is on retinitis pigmentosa, the program will have applications for age-related macular degeneration as well.

Stem Cells and AMD

Research at the Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland showed that putting stem cells near the retinas of rats, that had a form of macular degeneration, helped delay the disease.  Ray Lund, researcher, said that he suspects that when immature nerve cells are placed near the retina, they produce growth factors that protect the cells from damage.  This may protect some people from developing wet AMD as well.

B Vitamins Could Lower Risk of AMD For Women

B vitamins could lower the risk of AMD, according to a study of 5,442 women age 40 and over.  Daily supplementation showed that these women were 41% less likely to develop macular degeneration.  They were followed up for seven years.

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Trans Fats May Increase Macular Degeneration Risk

Trans Fats may increase macular degeneration risk.  A recent Australian study checked macula photographs of 6,734 participants’ eyes for signs of early and late AMD.  Late AMD risk was higher in people who ate a lot of trans-unsaturated fats (hardened fats).  Fatty acids and olive oil seemed to reduce the risk of AMD.

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Vitamin B and AMD

A seven year study of 5,200 women showed that daily B vitamin supplements could lower the odds of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women.  4l% of the participants taking the B vitamins were less likely to develop the disease.

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