AMD (age-related macular degeneration) is a progressive vision-thretening ocular disease, affecting central region of the retina – the macula – and manifesting in the elderly, usually over 60. It leads to loss of central vision and in some patients to legal blindness. Clinically, the disease is classified as: atrophic – dry AMD (80-85% of all AMD cases), with advanced stage named „geographic atrophy” (35%), and neovascular – wet AMD (10-15% of all AMD cases) with newly formed subfoveal blood vessels originating from the choroid, known as choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Pathogenesis of AMD is complex, multifactorial and only poorly recognized. Main risk factors include: advanced age, genetic predispositions, environmental determinants, history of exposure to intensive light and smoking. At least four molecular processes contribute to the developmenyt of AMD pathology: lipofuscinogenesis (in retinal pigment epithelium – RPE; linkage to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation), drusogenesis (formation between RPE and Bruch’s membrane of heterogenous and insoluble material called drusen), inflammation (atypical and chronic) and CNV (in wet AMD). CNV results from disbalanced pro- over anti-angiogenic factors. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a predominant proangiogenic factor in CNV, the wet AMD can be treated with intravitreous application of „anti-VEGF” agents (Lucentis, Eylea – approved drugs; and Avastin – used off-label). Till now, there is no approved therapy for dry AMD; currently there are several agents in clinical trials showing different mechanism of action, including: drugs that decrease oxidative stress, visual cycle modulators, neuroperotectants, drugs that suppress inflammation, among the latter group are anti-complement agents. The lecture will provide current knowledge on AMD pathogenesis and will summarize latest efforts on potential therapeutics for AMD, with emphasis on therapies for dry AMD.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/30831 must be provided.