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IkarovecAge-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Biotechnology

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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a painless eye condition that leads to the gradual loss of central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world and the third most common globally. Around 600,000 people in the UK currently have sight loss caused by AMD and around 70,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Macular degeneration develops when the macula (the part of the eye responsible for central vision) is unable to function as effectively as it used to. Vision becomes increasing blurred and reading and recognising faces becomes more difficult. Colours appear less vibrant. Old age, smoking and a family history of AMD are known to increase the risk of developing the condition. There are two types of AMD.

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Dry-form: This develops when the cells of the macula become damaged due to lack of nutrients and there is a build-up of waste products from the biochemical processes responsible for vision called drusen. Loss of retinal cells in and around the macular region is sometimes referred to as geographic atrophy. It is the most common and least serious type of AMD accounting for around 9 out of 10 cases. The loss of vision is gradual, occurring over many years. However, an estimated 1 in 10 people with dry AMD will then go on to develop wet AMD. There is currently no effective treatment available for patients with the dry-form AMD.

Wet-form, or neovascular, AMD develops when abnormal blood vessels form underneath the macula and damage its cells. Vision can deteriorate more rapidly in people with the wet-form of AMD, sometimes, within days. Wet-form AMD is treated with eye injections which neutralise VEGF and is effective in many patients over a few years, after which, they often become unresponsive to further treatment.

More information:

https://www.macular.org/what-macular-degeneration

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd