Warning signs of sight loss could be identified before vision deteriorates

A new study has shown it’s possible to detect signs of age-related macular degeneration earlier than previously thought. It raises the possibility of starting treatment earlier to maintain sight for longer.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the western world. It affects the macular – the part of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight. It gets progressively worse with time and there is no cure.

Thinner retinas an early warning sign

Southampton researchers, with colleagues at King’s College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital, looked at the records of over 30,000 patients who had retinal scans and genetic data stored in the UK Biobank.

There are 34 known genetic risk factors for AMD, and the scientists were able to compare the retinal measurements of those with the risk factors to those without.

The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that the participants with healthy eyes and no history of AMD had a thinner macular if they carried the genes that put them at risk.

The study was led by Southampton’s Prof Andrew Lotery together with Prof Pirro Hysi at King’s College London and Mr Praveen Patel at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Prof Lotery, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Southampton, said: “At the moment most treatments for AMD only start when patients already have severe problems with their eyesight, so it is really important that we understand more about what causes it.

“These results help us understand the very early stages of the disease, before it is clinically apparent. If we can intervene at an earlier stage, we are more likely to be able to preserve sight.”

Allowing sight-saving lifestyle changes

Previous research has not fully explained which cells in the eye are affected by AMD first. Further examination of the retinal scans in biobank showed that the photoreceptors, which sense light in the eyes, were also thinner for patients with the genetic risk factors.

The research team say this gives them further understanding of the early stages and will help identify which cells should be targeted in further research.

Whilst further trials will still be needed to identify treatment, being able to observe the signs of AMD earlier would allow people to make lifestyle changes to slow down their loss of vision.

“Changing to a Mediterranean style diet, exercising more and stopping smoking can help prevent he progression of the disease,” Prof Lotery added.

“These findings can also help us refine participants in future clinical trials so we can include patients who are most at risk.”