Fight for Sight has funded a study to understand the role of immune cells in the development of macular scarring.
Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast will use the funding to develop new therapies that target immune cells to prevent and treat retinal scarring. They will carry out microscopic investigations on donated eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and will identify and monitor the macrophages – a type of white blood cell – involved in promoting and dissolving macular scarring.
Lead researcher from Queen’s University Belfast Professor Heping Xu said: ‘The abnormal vessels in wet AMD take months to years to scar, which offers a window for prevention or early treatment. We have been investigating the mechanism underlying scar development from abnormal vessels for more than five years. Our goals are to improve current therapy and to develop strategies for scar prevention or treatment. The funding from Fight for Sight will greatly help us to achieve the goals.’
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