What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a common cause of blindness
and vision impairment among people older than 50 in the United
States. This condition is also referred to as age-related macular
degeneration, or AMD. AMD damages the macula, a small part
of the eye's light-sensitive retina, the layer of tissue that
sends vision signals to the brain. Macular degeneration can
be characterized by deposits known as drusen that develop in
the macula, although the reason these deposits accumulate is
not known.
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Research News
Featuring Harvard Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals
Eyes Are Used For More Than Vision.
Smoking
and High BMI can increase risk of AMD.
Common Variation in Three Genes may
influence risk of AMD.
HMS Completes Agreement with Merck
to develop potential therapy for AMD.
Biomarker for AMD Risk
High Levels of Amino Acid May be Biomarker for Increased AMD Risk.
Good and Bad Fats Linked to Progression of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Higher levels of good dietary fat, including fish and nuts, have been found to diminish the progression of AMD.
Study Shows Snack Foods May Increase Risk of AMD, Fish May Decrease
Risk
Higher consumption of a dietary fat commonly found in snack foods may be associated
with an increased risk of advanced AMD.
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Research Stories
From the Harvard University Gazette
Electric Eye Under Development
A tiny camera mounted on eyeglass frames would send visual images and
patterns of electric signals to an antenna and electrode chip sewn to the back wall of the eye. The device holds promise for those experiencing macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Pigment Tied to Blindness
Treatment could turn your blue eyes black.
>More
HU Gazette on Macular Degeneration |
Scientific Reports
From HMS Faculty Newsletter Focus
Five Gene Variations
can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration.
Enzyme Mends Fibers that Give Stretch to Tissues
Discovery about the bio-mechanical feats of elastin,
a protein polymer that works like a rubber band, holds promise
for understanding macular degeneration.
Researchers Eye Earliest Triggers of AMD
Cones are found to not be collecting enough light, thus leading to macular degeneration.
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Research Reports
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