Second Sight: Breakthrough Research Offers Hope to Millions

New research funding has succeeded in creating human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to study the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the effects of treatment at different stages.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a common disease that causes vision loss in the elderly. In 2020, the condition was believed to affect more than 190 million people globally and this figure is expected to rise to 288 million people by 2040 as the elderly population increases.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Age related macular degeneration is a disease of the elderly, wherein the macula or the central part of the retina gets affected, leading to loss of vision.

‘A recent project uses innovative techniques of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to find new treatment approaches in Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).’

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The symptoms of AMD include blurred vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and seeing straight lines as wavy. The condition can develop slowly over several years or can develop very quickly. To date, there is no cure.

Funding To Research an Eye Disease Suffered by Over 190 Million People Worldwide

The award from the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard scheme to research teams from Northumbria University, Newcastle University, and the University of Tuebingen in Germany will help fund ground-breaking techniques to study age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The macula is part of the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see fine detail and is responsible for our central vision. These macula cells can deteriorate for several reasons, the most common being aging, but smoking, poor diet, high blood pressure, and genetic history can all play a part too.

This funding will support the study into the causes of AMD at a cellular level using pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models. PSCs are lab-created cells that can be used to generate any type of human cell required for therapeutic purposes.

Enzyme Deficiency Behind Age-Related Vision Loss
Deficiency of an enzyme called DICER-1 could lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a most common form of vision loss and blindness.

In addition, cells can be created at different stages of development. This project will help researchers study the different types of cell membrane channels that are selectively permeable to certain ions in human iPSC models of AMD, and how they work together. This will also give a better understanding of AMD as well as find new ways to treat the disease.

Age-related Macular Degeneration Beyond Single Treatment Mode
The research report establishes that drugs targeting immune pathways to prevent retinal tissue loss in age-related macular degeneration are ineffective as monotherapies.

Source-Eurekalert

New Test To Detect Onset of Blindness in the Offing
Australian scientists are working on a test they hope could help to determine the risk a person of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading cause of blindness.