The severity and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be able to be determined by measuring the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tears.
Researchers published the results of a recent study in Science Reports. The study revealed that the severity and progression of AMD could be determined by measuring the level of VEGF in the tears of AMD patients.
The study included 168 patients, 45 years and older with a diagnosis of AMD and took place between October 2016 and September 2018 at the Hospital University Sains Malaysia.
Blood and tear samples were collected from the participants. The highest levels of tear VEGF and of VEGF in blood serum were found in the patients with late AMD compared to the patients with early AMD.
Additional studies will be needed but researchers hope this will lead to testing VEGF levels in the tears as a noninvasive way to assess AMD progression.
While there are no therapies that treat AMD, AREDS 2 supplements may help stop the progression of AMD in some patients.
