Research to Prevent Blindness

Statins May Treat Dry AMD

Left: before statin treatment; right: same patient, one year after statin treatment. Photo: Harvard University

RPB-supported researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School and scientists at University of Crete have conducted a phase I/II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) for the treatment of patients with the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Although effective treatments are available for the wet form of AMD, they are currently lacking for the more prevalent dry form.

The researchers found evidence that treatment with high-dose atorvastatin (80mg) is associated with regression of lipid deposits and improvement in visual acuity, without progression to advanced disease, in high-risk AMD patients.

February 5, 2016

Macular Degeneration

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Dr. Semenza and colleague work in his lab

Research to Prevent Blindness Grantee Dr. Gregg Semenza Wins Nobel Prize in Medicine

Dr. Semenza is being recognized for his discoveries related to how cells respond to low oxygen levels, which have implications for the treatment of cancer, eye diseases and more.