(PreserveMacForte.com) It what may one day be considered a major discovery in the fight against eye disease, researchers have uncovered what they believe is the gene involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported AlberniPortal.ca recently.
According to the article, a study focusing on a family with the eye condition that can lead to blindness has found a gene involved in AMD. As it turns out, AMD is the most prevalent cause of vision impairment among the elderly. The condition involves the deterioration of the portion of the retina that facilitates central vision.
According to the article, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center researchers based their findings on a study of a family with a high occurrence rate of a condition that appears to be macular degeneration. The family members with the condition have an abnormality in a gene known as RDS. The same abnormality was discovered in another family with the condition.
According to the article, researchers now want to find out how the RDS abnormality impacts the healthy performance of the eye. Coming up with the answer not only will lead to new findings, but also will possibly lead to better treatments for AMD.
There are two types of AMD — dry AMD and wet AMD. Only about 10% of those who are diagnosed with dry AMD end up developing wet AMD, which is the more serious of the two. Left undiagnosed for too long, wet AMD can result in irreversible vision loss. However, if diagnosed early on, there are more options for treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease and perhaps even reverse some of the vision loss. That said, there is no cure for AMD.
While there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of getting AMD, there are things people can do to lower their odds of coming down with the ailment. Eating fish with omega-3 fatty acids, consuming lots of leafy green vegetables and produce, exercising regularly, avoiding hypertension, maintaining an ideal weight, keeping cholesterol within a normal range and seeing an eye doctor at least once a year are things that can help people to safeguard their sight.
Reference: http://www.alberniportal.ca/2013/05/gene-for-eye-disease-identified/