New test to identify those vulnerable to AMD - the UK's most common form of blindness

Scientists have developed a new test which could prevent the most common form of blindness in the elderly. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects 250,000 people in the UK. It damages the central part of the retina and leaves one in 10 sufferers blind. The new test identifies those who are genetically predisposed to AMD, allowing early treatment that can prevent blindness. It has been licensed by Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge University's commercialisation arm, and ArcticDX, a Canadian molecular diagnostic company. Greg Hines, president and CEO of ArcticDx, said: 'This will be the first time that clinicians will be able to diagnosis the condition before symptoms arise. 'This provides the opportunity for targeted patient education and routine eye examinations that offer early detection and disease management. 'Macular... [read full story]