AMD Beyond Complement and Serine Protease Pathways

This study will characterize two new genetic risk factors related to wet and dry AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has a complex etiology and is broadly classified as either dry or wet. The dry form is more common, accounting for approximately 90% of patients, and does not typically result in blindness. About 10% of patients have the wet form, in which central vision will be destroyed. We have identified two major genetic factors predisposing some individuals to the more aggressive wet form of AMD and others to the slowly progressing dry type. Together with the new risk factors we will discover, it will be possible to detect who is at increased risk and allow those affected to take preventive measures.