Names |
- Age related macular degeneration
- Age related macular degeneration
Category: Nervous System |
Prevalence |
From 16,759,857 to 24,895,710 cases in the US (Rein 2022). Female/Male ratio: 1.3x. |
Age of Onset |
Onset typically after 50 years old. |
Description |
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to the loss of central vision, which impairs activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Many factors may be involved in the development of AMD, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors like smoking and diet, and some studies have found a link with immune system components such as complement proteins. These proteins, part of the immune system's response to pathogens, can mistakenly target retinal cells, leading to inflammation and damage. Furthermore, individuals with autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may have an increased risk of developing AMD, as their immune systems are already prone to attacking self-tissues. Understanding this autoimmune connection opens new avenues for potential treatments, such as immunomodulatory therapies, which aim to regulate the immune response and protect retinal health.
However, based on the research available at this time, there is no evidence that AMD is an autoimmune disease.
Not confirmed as an autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease.
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Symptoms |
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Resources |
Link to Clinical Trials Link to PubMed |
References |
Link to Mayo Clinic Link to Cleveland Clinic Link to Healthline
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Profile by: Autoimmune RegistryProfile updated September 2024Charts generated Oct 12, 2024 at 12:54 PM ET |
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Age related macular degeneration sex breakdown
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Age related macular degeneration age breakdown
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Patient ethnicities
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