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Gene therapy is a new form of treatment that involves adding, removing or editing genes in your cells. Almost every cell of your body contains your DNA, and your DNA is made up of hundreds of thousands of genes which make you unique.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are cells that are naturally found in the body. These cells have the special ability of being able to form many different cell types. Researchers have also found ways of taking normal human cells, such as skin cells and turning them back into stem cells to become other cell types.

One of the main risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is increased age. Many other eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts, also become more common as you grow older. This is partly due to changes that happen as we age and as the cells become more damaged over time.

You may have heard your eye doctor talk about how important diet and lifestyle changes can be on reducing risk, or slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While there can be genetic factors involved, environmental factors also play an important role in determining risk of AMD.

Dr Wen Hwa Lee, chief executive and chief scientist of charity Action Against AMD (AAAMD), joined us for a recent webinar to share how your data could support ground breaking eye health research.

Interested in the research we are funding with your generous donations?

The vision of the Macular Society is to end macular disease through funding world-class medical research.

As well as medical research, the Macular Society funds research to help those living with macular disease now. For example, projects on the eccentric viewing technique have helped the Society to train and support those with macular disease to use their remaining vision most effectively.

The vision of the Macular Society is to end macular disease through funding world-class medical research. Everything we fund is aimed at improving the treatment for or quality of life of patients with macular disease. 

Action Against AMD (AAAMD) is a partner of INSIGHT, one of seven ‘digital hubs’ funded by the government through Health Data Research UK, to create a UK-wide system for the safe and responsible use of health-related data on a large scale. The HDR Hub for Eye Health partnership includes experts from a range of backgrounds, including academia and pharmaceutical companies.