What Is The Outlook For Better Treatment And Prevention?

Research studies are underway on the causes, prevention, and treatment of AMD. The Federal Government has given AMD higher priority in recent years. That's because AMD will become a more serious national health problem as "baby boomers" grow older.

• Scientists are trying to identify genes that cause AMD, or increase risk for the disease. Once AMD genes are found, scientists may use gene therapy to replace the defective genes with normal copies.

• Researchers also are working on medicines that stop the growth of new blood vessels. Such drugs could be used to treat wet AMD, and perhaps stop dry AMD from getting worse.

• The clinical trials on dietary supplements, of course, could provide a simple and inexpensive way to reduce the risk of AMD.