AMD and its research advances

The Institut of the macula, in collaboration with the Barcelona Macula Foundation, developed a program of clinical trials to investigate Macular Degeneration Age-related (AMD). The Director of the Institute, specialist macula, retina and vitreous, Dr. Jordi Mones, explains what AMD and progress with the trials so far.

Definition and causes of AMD

AMD is a disease ophthalmic finest characterized by progressive degenerative lesions of the macula, responsible for vision. Until recently, moist or wet form was the leading cause of blindness among people over 50 years. This age is a time when people want to be contemplative and pathology greatly affects their daily lives.

The lifestyle may worsen genetic predispositions to develop the disease. To do this, we can carry out preventive actions so as not to aggravate the condition. The snuff is the first risk factor, and smokers have a much greater chance of developing the disease. Continued exposure to sunlight may also affect to some extent and, finally, poor eating habits and overweight contribute to emporar AMD.

Clinical trials and participation

The main objective of the clinical trials developed by the Institute of the macula is to find a treatment to halt the unstoppable progression of dry or atrophic form of the disease and improve outcomes in patients with wet or exudative AMD. In pre-clinical phase solutions to recover or regenerate the missing or destroyed retina are sought. Dr. Jordi Mones believes that "only with research and clinical trials may be able to find a cure in the future."

The main benefit it can bring to the patient involved in clinical trials is access to the latest treatments with customized, cutting-edge medical care by medical experts and professionals from the Institut. In addition, for the moment, this is the only path to new drugs that are unavailable for the rest of population. The tests are carried out according to strict ethical and scientific principles and apply all international and national laws and policies to protect the rights, safety and welfare of participants.

Advances in AMD

Thanks to the latest clinical trials conducted have achieved very important progress. Dr. Jordi Mones, began investigating AMD 1991 in Harvard, and remember that "we were totally helpless because we could do almost nothing. We could only apply laser treatments and were very ineffective. Now, however, over the years, techniques have greatly improved. We have moved to another dimension, previously unknown, but much remains to be done. "