Gut Flora Linked to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New Research
A groundbreaking connections between gut flora and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been suggested by recent research. Around 7 million Germans are affected by AMD, which gradually impairs central vision. The German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) will discuss this connections hint at a hybrid press conference on September 25, 2025, during their annual congress in Berlin.
AMD, affecting about 1 in 4 Germans over 65, is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized nations. Known risk factors include age, genetic predisposition, smoking, and chronic inflammation. However, new findings indicate that imbalances and dysregulation in the gut microbiome may also contribute to AMD. Bacterial components and metabolites can potentially reach the retina, causing or exacerbating damage.
The human gut microbiome plays a significant role in overall health. Disruptions have been linked to conditions like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer's dementia. Now, differences in microbiome composition between AMD patients and controls suggest a similar connections hint today. If confirmed, certain marker substances in the blood could become diagnostically relevant for early AMD stages. Therapeutic-preventive approaches targeting the microbiome could also emerge.
The DOG 2025 congress, held from September 25 to 28 at the Estrel in Berlin, will delve into this fascinating new avenue of AMD research. The potential implications are substantial, as understanding and addressing the role of gut flora could lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for AMD, benefiting millions of people worldwide.
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