A protein released by the complement factor H (CFH) gene has been thought to be responsible for protecting the retina from inflammation leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Scientists from the University of Manchester have, however, now discovered that the protein factor H is not the main regulator of immunity. Instead, it is a different [Read More]
News
CFH and CFB Proteins May Lead to AMD
by Dan Roberts Updated October 2011 Two genes have been shown to lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in recent studies. In 2005, the first suspect protein was discovered by three separate research centers. Called Complement Factor H (CFH), it may be a cause of AMD in as many as 50% of cases. CFH helps [Read More]
A More Refined Artificial Retina Shows Early Promise
A number of devices, such as the Argus II, have been developed over recent years to replace the human retina. Many, however, use metallic parts, cumbersome wiring or have low resolution. An interdisciplinary team from Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Centers for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Newcastle University, are developing what they [Read More]
MicroPump™: The Newest Drug Delivery System For Chronic Eye Disease
Anti-VEGF treatments have been saving the sight of thousands of people since 2006. In return, however, patients have been making clinical visits as often as monthly for injections. Not only is that a burden on their, and their doctors’, time, but it is very expensive and carries risks. To address the problem, new drug-delivery systems [Read More]
Study May Lead to More Accurate Long-Term Prediction of Wet AMD
Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have found a new way to forecast which patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are likely to progress to the advanced wet form of the disease. Until now, there has been no effective way to to do this. The new method predicts whether a patient’s vision would, if untreated, probably [Read More]