Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition affecting mostly elderly people, causing loss of vision in the center of the visual field, the macula, because of damage to the retina. AMD is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in people >50 years old. Approximately 10% of people 66–74 years old have findings of macular degeneration. The prevalence increases to 30% in people 75–85 years old. AMD begins with characteristic yellow deposits called drusen in the macula. These deposits have been found to contain toxic aggregates of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and in animal models, therapy directed against Aβ was found to be protective against AMD.