Lack of Thrombospondin 1 and Exacerbation of Choroidal Neovascularization

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, with approximately 90% of severe vision loss attributed to choroidal neovascularization (CNV).1,2 The global prevalence of CNV is expected to double in the next decade because of the aging population. Age-related macular degeneration is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the macula, usually bilateral, leading to a central scotoma and severe decrease in vision. The visual deficit results initially from retinal degeneration called geographic atrophy (dry or nonexudative AMD) often complicated by the secondary effects of CNV (wet or exudative AMD). An early sign of AMD is the appearance of drusen, which are extracellular deposits that accumulate below the retinal pigment epithelium and are known to be a risk factor for developing CNV.2