Scientists discover a way to delay age-related macular degeneration

Published in the journal Cell Death & Disease, the study by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School revealed that suppressing chronic inflammation can greatly reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that often leads to vision loss in individuals over 65 years old. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for clear vision. Current treatment methods are mainly applied at advanced stages when eye tissues are already damaged. Researchers sought to intervene earlier, at the stage of hidden abnormalities. In a series of experiments on mice, they blocked key components of the inflammatory cascade that trigger an excessive immune response in the retina. This intervention prevented two early mechanisms associated with the future progression of AMD.