Abstract:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of visual impairment in the elderly. There are very limited
therapeutic options for AMD with the predominant therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina
of patients afflicted with wet AMD. Hence, it is important to remind readers, especially those interested in AMD, about current
studies that may help to develop novel therapies for other stages of AMD. This study, therefore, provides a comprehensive
review of studies on human specimens as well as rodent models of the disease, to identify and analyze the molecular
mechanisms behind AMD development and progression. The evaluation of this information highlights the central role that
oxidative damage in the retina plays in contributing to major pathways, including inflammation and angiogenesis, found in the
AMD phenotype. Following on the debate of oxidative stress as the earliest injury in the AMD pathogenesis, we demonstrated
how the targeting of oxidative stress-associated pathways, such as autophagy and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2
(Nrf2) signaling, might be the futuristic direction to explore in the search of an effective treatment for AMD, as the
dysregulation of these mechanisms is crucial to oxidative injury in the retina. In addition, animal models of AMD have been
discussed in great detail, with their strengths and pitfalls included, to assist inform in the selection of suitable models for
investigating any of the molecular mechanisms.
