Retinal microenvironment imbalance in dry age-related macular degeneration: a mini-review.

BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world. To prevent what will certainly be a tremendous health and economic burden, effective therapeutics for AMD are urgently needed. To develop these agents in a timely fashion, the molecular pathways that cause disease progression must be elucidated. OBJECTIVE To briefly describe the clinical features of AMD, and review the current understanding of the molecular basis of AMD. METHODS A literature review. RESULTS The discussion will primarily focus on the interplay of oxidative stress and complement dysregulation and the resulting chronic proinflammatory state thought to be central in AMD pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Oxidative stress and complement dysregulation play a substantive role in the development of AMD.