Scar-less wound healing in AMD
Dr Audra Shadforth has been awarded MDFA Research Grant Program funding for an investigatory project, which is looking at age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from a new angle.
Dr Shadforth is from the School of Environment and Science, Griffith University.
Her project – funded with $126,000 from the Research Grants Program over three years – is investigating the potential for scar-less wound healing in AMD.
Current treatments for wet (neovascular) AMD are focused on reducing the damage done by the leaking and growth of new blood vessels within and under the retina. These treatments – anti-VEGF injections – aren’t cures but aim to stabilise and maintain best vision for as long as possible. While the treatments are effective, nearly half of eyes that receive these therapies will continue to develop blinding scars under the macular region within two years of treatment. This scar tissue distorts the macula, leading to further reductions in vision. Dr Shadforth’s goal is that her research would lead new treatments to reduce scarring of the macula in AMD patients.
The project is called ‘Investigating the potential for scar-less wound healing in age-related macular degeneration’.
Dr Shadforth was interviewed about her project by MDFA volunteer Jim Pringle. Jim has dry (atrophic) age-related macular degeneration.
Posted: 10 October 2019
Dr Shadforth’s goal is that her research would lead new treatments to reduce scarring of the macula in AMD patients.
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