The Genetics of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in old subjects. It is a multifactorial disease with both environmental and genetic factors playing some role in its pathogenesis. Similar to many other genetic diseases, the inheritance pattern of AMD does not fit into simple mendelian rules. These diseases are caused by the presence of multiple genetic factors and are called complex diseases. There has been extensive research on the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of this complex disease in the last few years. We review the methods of genetic research and their advantages and disadvantages in complex diseases such as AMD. Following that, candidate genes and their probable role in the pathogenesis of the disease are described. Finally, we discuss two important genes in the pathogenesis of the disease i.e. complement factor H and the gene for locus LOC387715.