Splitting the Lumps: The Importance of Phenotyping Drusen

Age-related macular degeneration, (AMD) is currently defined by the presence of drusen, and as such, many retinal drusen phenotypes are lumped in the catch-all disease AMD. There is no doubt AMD is a heterogenous disease, and to date as many as 34 different gene loci have been identified as contributing to the AMD phenotype.1,2 However, now more than ever, we need to be “splitters” rather than “lumpers,” as we enter an era where there will be specific treatments to slow progression of early stages of AMD toward vision-threatening complications.
Source: Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research