Web Focus
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of epidemic proportions. It is the commonest cause of blindness in the elderly in the developed world. Happily there has been significant progress in developing therapies for the neovascular "wet" form of the disease. Patients affected with "wet AMD" can now have sight saving treatment with drugs which inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor. However this in itself presents challenges to ophthalmologists. The treatment is only effective if given quickly and repeatedly. Due to the high volume of patients involved this presents huge logistical challenges to deliver treatment on time and safely. Nevertheless ophthalmologists are rising to the challenge and for the first time in history, rates of blind registration in the United Kingdom are decreasing. Presumably this is because of better treatment for wet AMD.
Treatments for the "dry" form of the disease have until now been limited but insights into the aetiology of AMD from genetic and cell biology studies have revolutionised our understanding of the disease. In particular the discovery of the role of the alternative complement system in AMD has led to clinical trials of drugs which inhibit the complement system. These early studies are showing promise.
Therefore at this time this web focus is timely. It highlights the evolution in tackling AMD for which the vision science community should be very proud. Much more work is needed but huge progress has already been made and this is good news for patients.
Professor Andrew Lotery, Editor-in-Chief, Eye
Review
Diagnostic accuracy of the Amsler grid and the preferential hyperacuity perimetry in the screening of patients with age-related macular degeneration: systematic review and meta-analysis FREE
L Faes, N S Bodmer, L M Bachmann, M A Thiel and M K Schmid
Eye advance online publication, May 2, 2014; doi:10.1038/eye.2014.104
Clinical Studies
Smoking and choroidal thickness in patients over 65 with early-atrophic age-related macular degeneration and normals FREE
E J Sigler, J C Randolph, J I Calzada and S Charles
Eye advance online publication, May 16, 2014; doi:10.1038/eye.2014.100
Influence of image compression on the interpretation of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in exudative age-related macular degeneration FREE
J H Kim, S W Kang, J-r Kim and Y S Chang
Eye advance online publication, May 2, 2014; doi:10.1038/eye.2014.102
How many people in England and Wales are registered partially sighted or blind because of age-related macular degeneration? FREE
A Rees, A Zekite, C Bunce and P J Patel
Eye advance online publication, May 2, 2014; doi:10.1038/eye.2014.103
Switch of anti-VEGF agents is an option for nonresponders in the treatment of AMD Case Series
Visual and anatomical outcomes following intravitreal aflibercept in eyes with recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 12-month results FREE
D S Grewal, M K Gill, D Sarezky, A T Lyon and R G Mirza
Eye advance online publication, May 16, 2014; doi:10.1038/eye.2014.101
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