Review

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Classification and Pathogenesis

10.4274/tjo.80008

  • İmren Akkoyun

Received Date: 18.02.2014 Accepted Date: 16.05.2014 Turk J Ophthalmol 2014;44(6):476-480

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was first described in 1885 by Otto Haab as a disease in patients above 50 years of age with progressive retinal pigment epithelial and atrophic degenerations of the macula reducing the central visual acuity. AMD is a neurodegenerative disease and is now the most common cause of registrable blindness in the western world. The prevalence of the disease is given as 10% in 65-75-year-old population and as 25% after 75 of age. AMD is a multi-faceted and complex condition. Although different forms of AMD share some common underlying pathological features and causes, there are unique mechanisms for each form. Effective therapies should be derived from in-depth knowledge about each subtype of AMD and should be tailored to address the specific needs in each disease subtype.

Keywords: AMD, geographic atrophy, neovascular AMD, pathogenesis

Full Text (Turkish)