Late Onset Retinal Degeneration (LORD)
Ophthalmology research is an active and ongoing programme at The University of Edinburgh. One exciting and emerging research theme at Edinburgh will specifically look into Late Onset Retinal Macular Degeneration (LORD). Inherited retinal disease is now the most common cause of registerable blindness in the developed world and is a good model for understanding age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Loss of vision for people with AMD and LORD poses a major challenge on an emotional and practical level and has a profound life-long effect on lifestyle and employment opportunities. We have identified a likely gene in LORD that causes the disease to develop, meaning that we may be able to understand the development of such diseases by studying them at a cellular and microbiological level. Having a genetic model may also lead to the development of cells and models that can be used for clinical trials or gene editing therapies.
