A new study suggests that a molecule that usually suppresses harmful blood vessel growth may do the opposite in a type of sight loss called age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
If confirmed in future studies, the discovery could lead to more effective treatments. More than 1.8 million Americans aged 40 years and over have AMD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to one source, 10-15% of people with AMD have a more severe form of the disease known as “wet” AMD that progresses more rapidly. Wet AMD involves inflammation and excessive growth of fragile blood vessels beneath the macular.