Its long been recognised that several genes seem to play a part in the development if macular degeneration. In particular A gene governing complement factor H located on chromosome 1 region q32 and the age related macular susceptibility gene located on chromosome 10 region q26 called the ARMS2 gene are well known in the macular world. An interesting report presented at the EURETINA congress in Nice, France this week described the impact of introducing adenoviral vector induced replacement of the CFH gene appeared to lead to a circa 70% reduction in macular cell death and concomitant large scale increases in electrical function in the macular area in an animal model.   This is of course encouraging, but we must always have some caution in cross translation of animal models into the human sphere. Sometimes the effect simply doesn’t materialise – thus we are going to have to wait for human trials which we at Bettersight are quite sure will come in due course. If of course its possible to show both safety and effectiveness in human eyes then at long last we may have a viable treatment to slow down the otherwise inexorable progression of dry macular degeneration.

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