Age Related Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a slowly progressing disorder of the retina, which results in loss of central vision and is found primarily in older adults in their sixties and seventies. It is the most common cause of visual impairment in adults aged over 50 years. Macular degeneration causes damage to the macula, a small central region of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. The photoreceptors in the macula convert light signals into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain. When the photoreceptors start to degenerate, central vision becomes compromised, and daily activities, such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces, become difficult.
Presently, conventional treatments for macular degeneration are limited in their ability to replace lost vision by reversing the damage caused; however, medical interventions utilizing stem cell therapy may offer a new path forward. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of becoming specialized cells such as corneal, photoreceptor, and optic nerve cells, to name a few. Once stem cells are isolated from a source such as bone marrow or adipose tissue, the body is no longer damaged and therefore able to redirect the stem cell into the new cell type, aiming to replace lost retinal tissue and regain vision.
There are several risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration, including genetic disposition, Caucasian ethnicity, smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Cell Cure India has observed several successful outcomes with regenerative medicine to manage this condition and is providing renewed hope to patients through cellular therapies designed to supplant damaged tissue and retrieve visual function.
Causes of Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age
Judging from the available evidence, advancing age is likely the greatest risk factor; specifically, the risk substantially increases after the age of 50.
Individuals over the age of 60 have a greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration compared to those who are in their 40s, and the risk continues to increase after age 70.
As retinal cells age, this slowdown in repair ability, in combination with constant environmental stressors, diminishes eye health over time.
Genetic Tendencies and Family History
Having a history of macular degeneration in the family provides a significant increase in risk.
Certain genetic variations, or polymorphisms, affect how an individual’s eyes process age, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
In others, the genetic profile may also cause macular degeneration to begin at a younger age.
Race
Race is a proven risk factor for developing macular degeneration.
Caucasians have been shown to be more susceptible to developing macular degeneration.
The differences in pigment level, as well as the structure of the retina, may allow for varied levels of natural protection.
Smoking
The presence of smoking is a proven factor; it doubles the risk of developing macular degeneration.
Toxic substances involved with the chemicals in cigarettes have been shown to decrease blood flow, increase oxidative stress, and reduce the level of antioxidants available to combat the oxidative damage in the retina.
Obesity
The presence of excess body weight is a risk factor that speeds up the progression of the disease.
Obesity normally increases the level of systemic inflammation and decreases the blood supply to the retina. One risk factor that can be modulated is weight, and maintaining a healthy weight decreases the risk of developing the disease.
Cardiovascular Disease
Disease processes such as heart disease, hypertension, and vascular disease can lower the amount of oxygen and nutrients supplied to the retina.
Conditions like high cholesterol and decreased blood flow can increase damage to the retina.
Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Dry macular degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually and are painless. The symptoms may include:
- Visual distortions, like straight lines appearing distorted
- Less central vision in one or both eyes
- Increased need for brighter lights while reading or completing near tasks
- Greater difficulty adapting to low light levels, like when entering a dimly lit restaurant
- Increased blurriness of printed words
- Less intensity or brightness in colors
- Difficulty reading faces.
Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an essential layer in the rear of the eye that nourishes photoreceptor cells so they can survive and function properly. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), RPE cell loss results in death of the photoreceptors, leading to gradual vision loss. The purpose of stem cell therapy is to replace the unhealthy or dead RPE cells to prevent or restore vision in patients with AMD using a non-surgical procedure. Studies have indicated that RPE cells generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) show particular promise because they can be produced in large quantities and using clinically safe methods. Initial clinical trials in AMD patients have demonstrated the safety of transplanted hPSC-derived RPE cells and the possibility of even restoring vision.
The stem cell transplants can be performed directly into the retina via procedure or infused into the eye. Some strategies use thin and permeable membranes to allow transplanted RPE cells to better integrate into the retina, and others focus on damping immune rejection and inflammation to improve transplant outcomes. Stem cell therapy is highly relevant for patients with dry AMD, which is for now not definitively treated. Patients treated in advanced centers such as Cell Cure India will receive individualized access to full-time, custom care, medical support, and counseling as part of their treatment to optimize the best response, making regenerative therapy a leading treatment option.
FAQs
1. What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
AMD is a progressive condition of the eye that affects the macula, the central part of the retinal area, resulting in central vision loss; the predominant population affected are adults older than 50 years of age.
2. What are the major risk factors for AMD?
The major risk factors include older age, family history of AMD, Caucasian descent, cigarette smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
3. What are some common symptoms of AMD?
Patients often experienced blurred central vision, distorted or wavy lines, difficulty reading, decreased color brightness, or trouble recognizing faces.
4. Is there a treatment for AMD?
While conventional treatments have not been shown to directly restore vision loss associated with AMD, stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine have been identified as fields of study that have therapeutic potential in reconstructing/repairing lost retinal cells and possibly restoring better visual function.