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Thanks to teams of researchers in the UK and worldwide who are dedicated to Beating Macular Disease, research is moving rapidly.

As you may know, or have heard from your eye doctor, there are some treatments available for some types of macular disease. For example, treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). However, there are still many types of macular disease where there are no pharmaceutical treatments available. We are dedicated to funding research to find new treatments to beat macular disease. 

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.

Patients have a very important part to play in medical research. Over a million people take part in studies and trials in the UK each year. Without them we would not have the treatments we have today and new and improved treatments would not be possible.

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.

There are regular opportunities for people living with macular disease to participate in research studies. The purpose of these studies is to understand more about the impact macular disease has on individuals, and on their family and friends. It can be anything from completing short surveys to taking part in focus groups or interviews. We also carry out our own surveys.

Patients have a very important part to play in research. Over a million people take part in studies and trials in the UK each year. Without them we would not have the treatments we have today and new and improved treatments would not be possible.