Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) refers to a loss of visual cells (rods and cones) from the macula, the central part of the retina. A degenerative retinal disease that typically strikes adults in their 50s or early 60s, AMD progresses painlessly, gradually destroying the central vision needed to read, write, drive and watch television.
Today, approximately 1.75 million Americans age 40 years and older, have some form of age-related macular degeneration, and the disease continues to be the number one cause of irreversible vision loss among senior citizens in our country with more than 7 million at risk of developing AMD. One of the key factors for slowing down the progression of the disease is early intervention, which requires early detection of AMD or early detection of changes in disease status.
The Jennie and Henry Jones Macular Function Lab is developing sophisticated technology, such as the shape discrimination test, that can be used routinely by patients or clinicians to help detect early signs of AMD or disease status changes.
The Rose-Silverthorne Retinal Degenerations Lab is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about the genetic factors that increase the risk of AMD and is working with mouse models of AMD where there is a strong genetic contribution in order to develop new treatments.
The Sybil B. Harrington Molecular Ophthalmology Lab uses the latest technologies in laboratory techniques to find new ways to diagnose and treat patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) refers to a loss of visual cells (rods and cones) from the macula, the central part of the retina. A degenerative retinal disease that typically strikes adults in their 50s or early 60s, AMD progresses painlessly, gradually destroying the central vision needed to read, write, drive and watch television.
