Gene research and macular disease.

[Catseyes235]

Hello. I’m just wondering if there is anywhere doing gene research into siblings as my sister and two brothers ( one now deceased) all have AMD. No one from the family remember any talk of anyone with blindness in older generations.

Anyone out there with similar families? My eldest brother was registered blind as treatment was not yet fully available when he was diagnosed. (The fact that he continued to smoke may also have excluded him from trials!)

[Retired130]

Have not heard anything on gene research, but I do know there are about 20 projects going on to try to help MD using stem cells - not from aborted babies, but either a person's own stem cells or young fresh stem cells from the umbilical cords of newborns. So far, they have not been successful, but the research continues.

[GavinM]

Yes Moorfields. I'm volunteering as part of a study that is investigating the relationship between genes and AMD / CSR and related issues. What you are describing is the reason this study is underway. I go there every 4 weeks for tests of all sorts and they seem to find me particularly interesting!

[Catseyes235 in reply to GavinM]

Thanks Gavin. Do you have siblings/relatives with the condition? I used to know Moorefields well from having Thyroid Eye Disease which they successfully operated on. It remember it was like a rabbit warren and could still get lost after years!