New Insights into AMD Pathogenesis

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause for blindness in the elderly of the industrialized world. The disease cause remains elusive although many risk factors have been identified. Most research efforts are focused on the retinal-pigmented epithelium due to its role in both advanced disease stages, geographic atrophy, and choroidal neovascularization. Here we discuss the role of photoreceptors in age-related macular degeneration pathogenesis. We review data that suggest a possible link between metabolic adaptations in photoreceptors of patients and the effect of these adaptations on the development and progression of the disease. The findings suggest that a change in photoreceptor lipid synthesis contributes to the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. This change is likely precipitated by an adaptive response in photoreceptors to a nutrient shortage experienced during the early disease stages. Understanding the role of altered lipid metabolism in photoreceptors may provide new avenues for the treatment and prevention of age-related macular degeneration.