Retinal Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness for people 60 years of age and older in the developed world. Vision loss is caused by the destruction of the cone photoreceptors, located in the macula, that are responsible for color/central vision. The underlying cause of AMD is the loss of the monolayer of pigmented epithelial cells located just below the photoreceptors, known as the retinal pigmentum epithelium (RPE). The main role of the RPE is to maintain the function of the photoreceptor layer by secreting nutrients, absorbing stray light, and recycling debris used during the visual cycle. As a person ages the efficiency of the RPE layer is diminished causing a build up of toxic by-products. These toxic build-ups, known as drusens, result in the separation and death of the photoreceptor and RPE layers. AMD is speculated to result from as many as 20 different genetic mutations and as a result there is no known cure for the disease (CITE), but recent advances in stem cell therapy is a hopeful step in the right direction.

Age related macular degeneration is a loss of function of the macula, it is more commonly known as AMD. AMD is the most common cause for vision loss in adult s over the age of 55. The macula, located in the central part of the eye, is what is being damaged. This part of the eye is what enables us to see substances that are directly in front of the field of vision.

The research topic I will be introducing is Age-Related Macular Degeneration. This has been classified as a degenerative disorder that distresses the macula in one’s eye. AMD is unfortunately a common illness that individuals over 65 suffer from and that is a central cause vision loss. AMD doesn’t have a set disease pathway, in some individuals it advances slowly so that loss of vision does not arise for a long time. The disease can also advance much quicker and may lead to lack of vision in either or both eyes. The disease begins a blurry area near the center of one’s vision which grows larger and larger possibly causing a blank space in the eye (Boyd, 2013). Research is being done on AMD because it is a prevalent illness and has extreme consequences.

Age-related macular degeneration also known as AMD is a disease leading to severe vision and legal blindness in the elderly population. I will address the health condition description and the disability and functional implications who suffer from this disease.

This supports my claim because it shows that even if you are blind you can get damaged cell replaced by stem cells. Also it show that even with damaged eye cells they can be replaced because stem cells can be programed into any cell in the body.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can take two possible forms. Neovascular AMD (wet-AMD) or non-neovascular AMD (dry-AMD) as discussed in the introduction. The available treatment involved in curing patients suffering from AMD differs between the two types of the disease. Neovascular AMD has previously been treated by coagulation therapies of the blood vessel present in the fovea (part of the retina where the ability of vision is the highest). These therapies involve the use of infrared laser light to destroy any additional or new vascular cells in the fovea with the objective of avoiding the leakage of blood vessels. This would prevent photoreceptors from further being damaged and so won’t deteriorate vision any further. However,

As humans, we don't always see with our eyes, but often with our imagination (Grunwald, 2016). Often times as people we never realize how useful our vision really is to us. You really don't think about something like that until it would actual happen to you. Throughout this essay, you will learn how the body is affected by Macular Degeneration (MD). Different signs and symptoms, as well as the etiology of MD, will be discussed. In the following, diagnosis tests and treatments may also be listed in order to help others who would like to know more about MD. Not to mention, you will learn the incidence and progression of MD. Furthermore, information though agencies and associations, as well as new research about MD will be given.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, cupping of the optic nerve heads and visual field defects often related to elevated intraocular pressure. Glaucoma affects 70 million people worldwide, and constitutes the second largest cause of bilateral blindness in the world [1]. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. Glaucoma is a complex clinical trait and its inheritance has been shown to follow both Mendelian and non-Mendelian models [2].

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of sight loss in the United Kingdom. It is usually age related, occurring in 1 in 10 people over 65. In macular degeneration, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at the back of the macula in the eye, which supports the rod and cone cells vital to central vision, stops functioning. This results in the death of rod and cone cells, resulting in the loss of central vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet, and dry. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type and typically causes central vision loss over several months or years. Wet macular degeneration is rare, causing central vision loss in several days or weeks.

iPSCs are adult stem cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to behave like the pluripotent stem cells found in embryos, i.e. can differentiate into any cell type in the human body. This was first completed successfully in mice in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka and his team (Takahashi et al., 2006), then in humans in 2007 both by Yamanaka (Takahashi et al., 2007), and by James Thomson and his team in America independently (Yu, et al., 2007). Yamanaka and Thomson’s methods were similar. In the report by Yu et

Macular Degeneration is related to retinal aging. It can be caused by long term exposure to UV light, cigarette smoking, and even by having light colored eyes. It can also be caused by not having enough dark green leafy vegetables in the diet due to lack of vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc.

This article discussed the eye disease, Glaucoma. There are two types of Glaucoma; open-angle and closed-angle. Open-angle Glaucoma there are no visual abnormalities, but there is a mechanical obstruction interfering with the drainage pathway. While closed-angle Glaucoma is a physical obstruction. Signs and symptoms of Glaucoma are; headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, halo vision, and eye pain. Glaucoma progresses slowly and is asymptomatic at first. As the disease progresses symptoms appear, if symptoms are present then there is already irreversible damage to the eye. There is no cure for Glaucoma, treatment is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. Diagnostic tests done to detect Glaucoma are; measuring IOP, evaluation of

Eyes are considered one of, or the most important of the five senses and one that is taken with huge appreciation, but many are unaware of the certain risk factors that are performed daily which can influence the quality of vision in the long term. According to the According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (2013) in the United States, the most common eye disorders are age related and can lead to reduction in vision or complete blindness; they include: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Smoking is commonly known to cause certain cancers and heart diseases, but not commonly associated with its effect on the visual system and its link to the development of these common conditions. According to Rennie et al. (2012) ‘forty-seven percent knew of the link between smoking and eye disease’. To try and promote the influence cigarettes have on the visual system, the Royal national institute for blind people (2011) has suggested including pictures and a helpline number on each cigarette packet to deter the smokers. Moreover, one of the many side effects of smoking is that it raises blood pressure. Therefore, alongside recommendations to refrain from smoking to prevent an increase in pressure, there are certain nutrients that are known to decrease blood pressure. These can prove to be a very effective treatment for ocular diseases linked to diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Despite the harmful effects of

Scientists want to learn the molecular causes of diseases by studying embryonic stem cell lines from cloned embryos derived from cells. This is to help animals or humans with diseases and find cures. There are currently trials going on trying to restore people’s eyesight using stem cells research. “It will enable us to study genetic diseases for which there is presently no cure and track down mechanisms that are involved.”

(Thomson JA et al, 1998). In 2006, scientists went a step ahead by figuring out certain circumstances under which specialised adult cells could be genetically “reprogrammed” to suppose a stem liked form. This innovative kind of stem cell is called the induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). (Klimanskaya et al 2006). Stem cells are of immense importance for living beings for various reasons. In blastocyst, which is a 3 to 5 days old embryo, the internal cells bring improvements in the structure of the organism entirely, inclusive of many types of cells and body organs like skin, eggs, lungs, heart, and other tissues. Separate amounts of adult stem cells in adult tissues like muscle, bone marrow, and the brain, bring in replacements for those cells which are damaged or lost due to injuries, usual wear and tear, or other diseases. (Haider, HKh; Ashraf, M, 2005). Due to their distinctive ability to regenerate, stem cells have the potential to treat illness like heart diseases or diabetes. However, a lot research and experiments are still needed to identify the ways in which these stem cells can effectively be used for cell based therapies to overcome these diseases, also known as regenerative medicine. (Goldstein, Ron 2007). The body of knowledge regarding cell development has considerably furthered due to research into the field. Light has been shed on how single organism develops and how damaged cells