Researchers discover link between gene and cause of blindness

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over the age of 60 and a trans-Atlantic study may have found the culprit behind this problem. Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK and the University of Iowa in the USA believe the Serping 1 gene is responsible for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This discovery is expected to help scientists find better treatments and improve screening processes for patients. The finding was recently published in the on-line version of The Lancet.

The researchers found the gene in 25% of the people participating in the study. Past data have indicated that almost 66% of octogenarians suffer from AMD and over 10% are left blind by the disease. The area at the back of the eye is what helps people see objects in fine detail. AMD affects this area. The researchers postulate that 33% of the population over the age of 75 will eventually suffer from AMD.

The Southampton team said the annual economic burden from the disease could reach L80.0 million ($125.5 million) in the UK alone. According to the researchers, this figure could rise as the number of older people grows. The research also showed that the costs of healthcare increased seven-fold for AMD sufferers versus non-AMD patients.