Mechanisms of early stage AMD identified

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified early signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that could be targeted with treatments before symptoms develop.

A study funded by the Macular Society and published in PNAS described what could be an important step towards finding a treatment for the most common cause of adult blindness.

The Manchester team identified higher numbers of mast cells in the eyes of people when risk genes were present, even when there were symptoms, suggesting an early mechanism in common.

Dr Richard Unwin, researcher at the University of Manchester, said: ‘What is really exciting about this work is that we are studying tissue from people before they have signs of the disease. This gives us a look into the very earliest stages, and gives us hope that we can intervene to stop the disease developing and ultimately prevent loss of vision.’