Trinity scientists have made a major breakthrough that has important implications for sufferers of a common eye disease.
The team discovered that a component of cells in the retina could play a crucial role in the development of dry age-related macular degeneration.
In a press statement, Dr Natalie Hudson, a post-doctoral researcher in Trinity and the study’s first author, said: “We were initially surprised that these blood vessels of the inner retina contributed to an AMD-like pathology, however it now appears that their dysfunction may represent one of the earliest initiating factors of the disease.”
Age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of central retinal blindness in the ageing population. The disease involves a loss of central visual strength, meaning the loss of sight begins in the centre of the patient’s visual field. This makes everyday tasks such as reading, driving and using computers extremely difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
The disease has two forms – dry and wet. There are therapies available for the management of the condition in its wet form.
However, despite accounting for the majority of cases in Ireland and worldwide, there are no treatments, therapies or cures yet approved for the dry form of the disease.
Patients living with dry age-related macular degeneration are generally advised to make lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and improving diet and exercise regimes. New forms of therapy are badly needed in an ever-ageing society, as the continual increase in life expectancy outpaces the rate at which drugs for age-related conditions are developed.
Dr Matthew Campbell, an assistant professor of genetics at Trinity, said in a press release: “Identifying the early molecular events that cause dry AMD will allow us to develop a targeted approach to therapy. In this case, we believe that regulating the integrity of the retina’s blood vessels may, over time, help to prevent the development of dry AMD”.
Dr Mark Cahill, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, added that “our findings have highlighted the power of basic and clinical research working towards identifying novel targets for AMD therapy, which will ultimately benefit patients in the future”.
The research, published this week in international journal JCI Insight, was supported by Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital Research Foundation.
