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Genetics and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Information for this article provided by Asper Ophthalmics What is DNA? DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that contains all of the genetic instructions needed to develop and maintain an organism. It is a long structure resembling a winding staircase. Each step of the staircase consists of two building blocks called nucleotides. There are four [Read More]

C3 Gene Variant Increases Risk of AMD

Press ReleaseJuly 18, 2007Researchers have found a gene variant that can more than double the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).The researchers based their findings on studies of patients with AMD (603 from England and 244 from Scotland) who were compared with 701 unaffected people. They found that a variant in the complement C3 gene [Read More]

Summary of Research and Developments in Macular Degeneration: 2006-2007

by Dan Roberts This is a summary of all major research and developments pertinent to macular degeneration that occurred between mid-May 2006 and mid-May 2007. It is organized by month of occurence under the subsets “Pharmacology,” “Surgery,” “Nutrition” and/or “Miscellaneous.” The final section, “The Future,” summarizes work in progress that may lead to promising developments [Read More]

Omega-3 Proving to be Beneficial on Several Fronts

by Dan Roberts May 20, 2007 (Updated April 15, 2008) Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids and fish consumption may reduce the risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and depression. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Research Group showed that dietary total docosahexaenic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid contained [Read More]