[Age-related macular degeneration and apoptosis].

Several studies suggest that apoptosis might play a major role in age-related macular degeneration. Apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelium cells undergoing severe oxidative stress has been reported and could therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. The processes of drusen formation seem to be similar to the processes described in apoptosis. Moreover, apoptosis appears to be involved in the early outgrowth of choroidal neovascular membranes as well as in the development of fibrotic scars at a later stage. Targeting apoptotic pathways should therefore be considered as a possible treatment approach for AMD.