Damaging DNA Could Cause Blindness

New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine published in the journal Science Advances indicates a buildup of damaging DNA in the eyes of patients with macular degeneration. The toxic DNA, researchers believe, could cause blindness. Interestingly, scientists suggest that common HIV drugs may help stem the tide of vision loss.

"Although we've known that geographic atrophy expands over time, we didn't know how or why," said Ambati, of UVA's Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Advanced Vision Science. "Our findings from human eyes show that these toxic molecules, which activate the inflammasome, are most abundant precisely in the area of greatest disease activity."

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"Toxic DNA buildup in eyes with macular degeneration can cause blindness - study"