Prospective sibling study for clinical and genetic characterisation of early stages of age-related macular degeneration

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ulrich Kellner
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: from 2000 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5243970

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is thought to arise from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. At present, limited treatment options, which rarely achieve marked improvement of reduced vision, are only available in progressed stages of AMD. To create a major impact on the economic effect of visual impairment caused by AMD, new treatment options need to be developed that influence very early stages of this disorder. The proposed examination of siblings of patients with AMD will serve two purposes: 1. An extended characterisation of the genetic basis of AMD with new insights into the pathogenesis 2. The identification of early stages of AMD and their rate of progression (within 4 - 6 years follow-up) with morphologic (photography, angiograph, autofluorescence) and functional methods (ETDRS, reading visual acuity, color vision, microperimetry, full field- and multifocal ERG). The examination of siblings is the most effective way to identify genetic factors. Careful documentation of clinical and functional findings is important for a reliable correlation of genetic and clinical data. The observation during follow-up is intended to define early stages of AMD for which treatment will be most beneficial.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1088: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Michael H. Foerster; Dr. Mirjam Gross