New era for personalized medicine: the diagnosis and management of age‐related macular degeneration

Abstract

It can be argued that age-related macular degeneration is one of the best characterized complex trait diseases. Extensive information related to genetic and environmental risk factors exists, and a number of different biological pathways are strongly implicated in its aetiology. Along with recent improvements in high throughput and relatively inexpensive genetic technologies, we are now in a position to consider developing a presymptomatic, personalized approach towards the assessment, management and treatment of this disease. We explore the applicability and challenges of this approach if it is to become commonplace for guiding treatment decisions for individuals with pre-existing disease or for those at high risk of developing it.

Animal Models of Retinal Disease

“…These diseases therefore present with additional challenges when considering the use of animal models. 22 In the case of glaucoma, four genes have so far been identified as involved including myocilin, cytochrome P4501B1, optineurin, and WDR36. These environmental factors could include such things as age, gender, smoking history, infectious agents, weight, insulin control, and diet.…”

Patient characteristics and treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in France: the LUEUR1 observational study

“…Its prevalence worldwide is increasing concomitantly with life expectancy, and epidemiological forecasts estimate that the number of affected patients over 65 years of age will rise up to two-fold by 2030 [2,3]. In addition to age, wellknown risk factors for AMD include smoking and genetic predisposition [4][5][6][7]. The wet (also known as neovascular or exudative) form of this degenerative disease is characterised by the growth of new vessels beneath the macula, leading to the detachment of the retinal pigmented epithelium and the neurosensory retina and, therefore, to a severe loss of central vision [4].…”

Genetic diversity and medicinal drug response in eye care

“…It is the most common cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly population in the developed world [14]. There are two types of late-stage ARMD, which are called non-exudative (dry or atrophic) and exudative (wet or neovascular) ARMD.…”