Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration is a medical condition of the eye that usually affects older adults and results in the loss of vision in the center of the visual field (in the macula which provides the most detailed central vision) and occurs in nearly 1 in 15 people.

AMD is often caused by the build up of debris on the retina which is typically cleared away by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), however as the cells age they become less efficient at clearing the drusen (accumulations of extracellular material) up. As this builds up, the cells begin to be starved of oxygen and starting to die, stopping energy to photoreceptors that inevitably causes this loss in vision.

Due to the restriction of space on the retina, the cells are not able to multiply. However a recent trial done in Australia found that using low power laser beams produced good results as patients described improvement in visibility. A theory into the mechanics of the laser shows that it can be used to cut a layer in the eye allowing new RPE cells to grow helping lower drusen levels on the retina

However some patients found that visibility increased in both eyes despite only one eye being cleared by the laser. A hypothesis for this is that the concentrated beam of the laser that damages the cells alerts the immune system (which is typically away from the eye to prevent any inflammation in the eye), which moves in and cleans the drusen.

However the trial is still in its early stages and further testing will be needed in order to ensure its effectiveness in helping prevent AMD.