A study published in the journal Cell Death & Disease showed that removing key links in the chain of inflammation in the body prevents the appearance of early signs of this disease, such as the infiltration of immune cells under the retina and the formation of subretinal deposits.
The researchers noted that most current treatments target the later stages of age-related macular degeneration, when a large portion of the cells have already been damaged, but their new approach, which focuses on prevention and early intervention when the disease appears, may provide the best chance to preserve vision and prevent macular degeneration from progressing to severe, incurable forms.
Scientists say the results look promising. By controlling inflammatory mechanisms, the retina can be protected from the damage that typically accumulates with age. And because early forms of age-related macular degeneration are often asymptomatic, preventative strategies could be crucial for the millions of people at risk of this disease.
In future research, the research team plans to test whether a similar anti-inflammatory approach not only prevents damage, but also helps to partially restore visual structures after the onset of the disease.
