New Genes Linked to Macular Degeneration


Scientists in America have identified three new genes that are associated with the development of age related macular degeneration. Researchers conducted a large scale genetic study and analysed more than 18,000 genome samples in order to discover this new link between genes and the hereditary eye problem. Researchers hope that their findings will develop the current understanding of the biological pathway of age-related macular disease progression, and thereby uncover genetic clues that could be key to developing effective treatments for the condition in future.

The research, published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, newly identifies three genes that are linked to the development of age related macular degeneration. Researchers found that two out of the three identified genes affected the body’s cholesterol pathway, prompting speculation that measuring blood cholesterol levels could provide information about the patient’s risk of developing the eye disease. Researchers also determined that the strongest macular degeneration genetic association involved the TIMP3 gene, a gene already understood to cause a rare early-onset form of macular degeneration known as Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy.

Aged related macular degeneration is the most common eye disease, worldwide, in people over the age of sixty. The condition eventually causes blindness. However, the researchers behind this genetic study claim that their findings, particularly regards cholesterol could lead to the development of better treatments for the condition. Researchers now plan to further study the genetic link between the cholesterol pathway and the genetic eye disease. They hope that establishing the link between the two will help to improve the quality of life of the many thousands of people who suffer from age related macular degeneration.

13 April 2010


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