Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that leads to central vision loss and may be brought on by genetics and smoking, among other things. However, there are effective treatments available to slow its progress.

Treatment options may include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, which block abnormal blood vessels that leak and contribute to wet AMD. These injections are administered directly into the eye.

Genentech’s Susvimo (ranibizumab)

Genentech’s Susvimo port delivery system containing ranibizumab has recently been approved by the FDA to treat wet age related macular degeneration, also known as neovascular or droopy macular degeneration, in patients who have responded to at least two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. The drug works by blocking disease pathways linked to vision-threatening retinal conditions by neutralizing angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). These molecules contribute significantly towards vision loss through encouraging leaky blood vessel formation. Susvimo devices can be implanted during one surgical procedures with refills every six months thereafter.

Susvimo device has already shown promise in reducing the number of treatments needed annually by decreasing anti-VEGF medication intake. Furthermore, it’s the only treatment for wet AMD to allow six month intervals between treatments while still providing vision benefits equivalent to those seen from monthly injections of anti-VEGFs.

At three years from starting an initial loading dose of four monthly injections of Susvimo in either of the studies YOSEMITE and RHINE, 85% to 90% of people eligible for extended dosing with Susvimo could receive treatments every other month or less frequently depending on evaluation of anatomy and vision outcomes. Furthermore, Regenxbio developed bispecific antibodies combining VEGF inhibitors that could further decrease repeated injections.

A novel intravitreal injection called RGX-314 has recently undergone phase 1/2a trial and been shown to be safe and well tolerated across five dose cohorts.

Retinal laser therapy offers another promising therapy: photosensitive dye-filled retinal lasers use photosensitive dye to visualize leaky blood vessels and encourage healthy new vessel formation. Novartis’ BEOVU (brolucizumab-dbll), one such retinal laser technology currently being tested in three separate studies: ARMAGEDDON, NAVIGATE and EXPERT trials are underway with results expected this fall for each. In particular, ARMAGEDDON will evaluate BEOVU as an addition to traditional therapies while NAVIGATE/EXPERT trials will look into its efficacy alongside laser treatment treatments.

A CIRM-funded team at the University of Southern California’s Ginsburg Institute has developed a stem cell-based retinal implant

Human retinas are complex structures designed to detect visual images and send them onward to the brain for processing, but damage to this eye may disrupt this process, leading to blindness. Because of this need, innovative treatments such as bioelectronic retinal implants may restore some level of visual acuity for patients suffering from macular degeneration.

This device works by converting light into electrical impulses that are sent to the retina, stimulating visual cortex of the brain and enabling patients to perceive shapes and images. For the first time ever, such a system was developed entirely from scratch using silicon platform and array of microelectrodes attached to flexible circuit board – currently, clinical trials are taking place with this innovative system.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive visual loss condition affecting the central area of the retina (the macula). This area provides sharp, clear central vision necessary for reading, driving and seeing faces as well as color perception. Depending on which form of macular degeneration has developed, symptoms could range from mild darkening or distortion of central vision all the way through to complete loss.

Though the exact causes of macular degeneration remain largely undetermined, several risk factors have been identified as potential contributors – smoking and inadequate antioxidant intake through zinc and carotenoids in foods are two such instances that have been highlighted as risk factors for macular degeneration in later stages. Accelerated progression may be reduced through high dose zinc supplements as well as other anti-oxidant vitamin supplements.

Current macular degeneration comes in two varieties, wet and dry forms. Eighty-five to ninety percent of cases can be classified as dry form macular degeneration with deposits known as drusen developing behind the macula; in 10-15 percent of cases there may also be wet forms characterized by abnormal blood vessels appearing under retina, leaking fluid into macula and progressing quickly resulting in severe blindness within months.

A CIRM-funded team at the University of California San Diego has developed a molecule that stimulates healing

Macular degeneration is a prevalent eye disease affecting those over fifty, typically manifested when the macula, an area of retina responsible for central vision, gradually deteriorates causing fine details, colors, or straight lines that are essential for reading or driving to become blurry. While macular degeneration cannot be prevented completely, early signs can often be detected through dilated eye examination. If left untreated in time it could progress and result in severe vision loss.

The new molecule developed by the University of California San Diego team targets and inhibits an activity-promoting protein that causes abnormal blood vessel growth – one cause of wet macular degeneration. Scientists believe that their new molecule could serve as a therapeutic treatment option for wet macular degeneration as well as other eye diseases.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when small blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid into the macula, eventually leading to total vision loss in as little as one year. It is more serious than dry macular degeneration and should be taken seriously as soon as it occurs.

Macular degeneration symptoms vary depending on who is experiencing them; some forms may develop slowly enough that symptoms go undetected, while other people may notice their straight lines appear bent or crooked. Patients who have a family history of macular degeneration or other risk factors should schedule regular dilated eye exams as soon as possible.

Gene Yeo, assistant professor in UC San Diego’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, will use their $1.6 Million CIRM Basic Biology Award to take advantage of recent discoveries that mutations in RNA-binding proteins cause neurons to fail and die in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). His team plans on devising an approach that can identify doomed neurons before screening drug-like molecules that bypass mutations – this method could prove fruitful in finding potential treatments for AD as well as other neurological conditions without effective treatments available today.

A CIRM-funded team at the University of California San Francisco has developed an implantable miniature telescope

Macular degeneration is an age-related eye condition in which the macula, located at the central region of retinal, deteriorates gradually over time. This area is essential to clear central vision that allows people to see straight lines, read books and drive safely. Macular degeneration first becomes noticeable by distortion or dimming of straight lines, eventually leading to total blindness. It is the leading cause of severe vision loss among those aged 55 or above and affects millions of Americans. There are treatments to slow the progression of eye disease. But the key is protecting your eyes: smoking damages blood vessels in the retina and should be avoided at all costs; eating an eye-friendly diet of nutritious leafy green vegetables and berries may also increase chances of keeping them healthy.

IMT, or implantable miniature telescope, is an FDA-approved device intended to assist patients suffering from end-stage macular degeneration. Surgically placed into the capsular bag of each eye, its two separate lenses are held securely with haptic loops for placement directly in front of its natural lens and project images onto undamaged areas of retina while also helping reduce central scotomas significantly.

Clinical trial results demonstrated that IMT significantly reduced the number of lines lost compared to controls during end-stage age-related macular degeneration; hence it has been approved by FDA to improve vision for individuals suffering severe to profound vision loss in both eyes, with distance best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or worse.

IMT is made available to eligible individuals as part of a multi-center clinical trial run by the National Institutes of Health. For more information, contact your Emory eye care provider or visit their IMT website.