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. Click for more information on macular degeneration.

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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.

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.

>More Research Reports