title: Retinal microenvironment imbalance in dry age-related macular degeneration: a mini-review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world. To prevent what will certainly be a tremendous health and economic burden, effective therapeutics for AMD are urgently needed. To develop these agents in a timely fashion, the molecular pathways that cause disease progression must be elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To briefly describe the clinical features of AMD, and review the current understanding of the molecular basis of AMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The discussion will primarily focus on the interplay of oxidative stress and complement dysregulation and the resulting chronic proinflammatory state thought to be central in AMD pathogenesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxidative stress and complement dysregulation play a substantive role in the development of AMD.
authors: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Brad P
authors: BP
authors: Barnett
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Handa
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012160:Retina / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial