NEW RESEARCH indicates that Irish people are more genetically predisposed to develop Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) than other Caucasian populations.
The research, conducted by Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill and directed by Dr Marian Humphries of the Department of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin, and Mark Cahill of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital research foundation, looked at volunteered blood samples from more than 200 patients with AMD and compared them with samples from participants without the disease to identify genetic risk factors.
“Our study shows that Irish people are at an elevated risk of developing AMD and this information is key to understanding the underlying cause of the condition,” said Mr Cahill
The National Council for the Blind ranks AMD as the most common cause of registered blindness in Ireland. The disease, which can cause distortion and dark patches in the centre of vision, most affects those over the age of 50. Although there is no cure, early detection can decrease the severity and treatment can be provided through injections.
Along with diet, smoking has been shown to have a huge impact on the likelihood someone will develop AMD. Data from the National Tobacco Control Office indicates that 23.6 per cent of Irish people smoked as of June 2010.
Mr Cahill, a retinal specialist at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, said smokers are four times more likely to suffer from the disease, because the pigment cells that protect the retina from the blood layer are damaged by smoke from cigarettes. In addition, the nicotine also appears to be harmful. So those trying to quit smoking are better off going cold turkey than using patches or gum.
A Novartis mobile testing unit will be available in Cork tomorrow from 10am to 1pm at the Cork Golf Club and from 2pm to 5pm at the Cork City Library to provide free eye tests. See amd.ie.