(www.PreserveMacForte.com) Irish persons are more likely, genetically speaking, to come down with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than are other Caucasian groups, according to new research that was recently reported in the Irish Times.
The research assessed the blood samples of in excess of 200 persons with AMD and compared these volunteered samples with the samples from persons who don’t have the blindness-causing eye condition to check for genetic risk factors, according to the article.
Mark Cahill, from the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital research foundation, was one of the parties behind the research. He said in the article that the study demonstrates that Irish persons are more likely to get AMD than are other Caucasian groups and that “this information” is a critical finding as it relates to getting a handle on the “underlying cause” of AMD. The article added that Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill and Dr. Marian Humphries, from Trinity College Dublin’s Department of Genetics, were also behind the research.
According to a section of the article citing the National Council for the Blind, AMD is Ireland’s leading cause of blindness. The article added that the eye ailment, which adversely impacts central vision but not peripheral vision, tends to be an issue only for those who are older than 50. While there is presently no cure for AMD, timely diagnosis can reduce the harshness of the condition, and treatment can be administered courtesy of injections.
According to the article, persons can reduce their odds of getting AMD by maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding smoking. The article, citing information from the National Tobacco Control Office, showed that 23.6% of Irish persons used cigarettes as of June 2010. Cahill, who works at the Royal Victoria Eye and ear Hospital as a retinal specialist, said in the article that smokers are four times more likely to get AMD than are non-smokers. He explained that this is so because the retina-protecting pigment cells are injured by cigarette smoke. He added that nicotine, too, seems to also be injurious. As such, it is best to quit smoking altogether than to employ weaning-off techniques such as nicotine-laced gum or patches.
Reference: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0929/1224324602287.html