Uncovering early changes in the eye during AMD

Dr Richard Unwin, The University of Manchester- £249,679

What’s the problem?

A person’s genes play a strong role in defining their lifetime risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This project aims to identify and record differences in the structure of the eye, based on whether they have a high or low genetic risk of developing AMD. 

What are they doing?

A previous study found people at high risk of AMD have higher levels of specific immune cells that damage the Bruch’s membrane, which supports retinal cells in the eye.
This new project will expand upon this previous work, using donated human eye tissue. It will look at other layers of the retina, such as the light-sensing photoreceptors, to discover the earliest changes in the eye that contribute to the progression of AMD. 

How can this help?

This work will help establish how the disease develops, and in turn, help identify new targets to slow this development.