Mechanisms of age‐related macular degeneration and therapeutic opportunities

Abstract

As the age of the population increases in many nations, age‐related degenerative diseases pose significant socioeconomic challenges. One of the key degenerative diseases that compromise quality of life is age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a multi‐faceted condition that affects the central retina, which ultimately leads to blindness in millions of people worldwide. The pathophysiology and risk factors for AMD are complex, and the symptoms manifest in multiple related but distinct forms. The ability to develop effective treatments for AMD will depend on a thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, risk factors, and driver molecular pathways, as well as the ability to develop useful animal models. This review provides an overview of the aforementioned aspects in AMD. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.