Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Impairment

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major contributing factor to non-reversible vision loss in the aging population in the developed world, but as of yet, it is still a poorly understood disease with few to no approved treatments, depending on the form of the disease. AMD has two primary forms: the non-exudative (dry) form and the exudative (wet) form. Many recent lines of evidence indicate that AMD may have a strong autoimmune component. The complement cascade, inflammasome, and angiogenic signaling pathways are of particular interest as targets for future therapeutic development. Herein we will discuss the potential roles that inflammation, angiogenesis, metal and lipid dysmetabolism, genetics and aging may play in the development and progression of AMD. Although there are no current effective therapies approved for the treatment of certain forms of AMD, the growing body of knowledge concerning the different facets of age-related processes associated with this disease offers a host of exciting new therapeutic approaches that will be the focus of future investigations.