Project AMD: Comprehensive Characterisation of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Progression

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and nearly two million Australians have some signs of AMD. This proposed project is a prospective, observational study that seeks to to understand the underlying aetiology of AMD, factors associated with differences between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes or severities, or between AMD and healthy individuals. It also seeks to understand the natural history of AMD progression and the factors associated with the rate of progression. In this project, the disease phenotype, genotype and severity and rate of progression will be determined based on non-invasive clinical imaging or functional assessment of the retina, from obtaining biological samples from the participants, or from patient-reported outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18 years of age or older; and 2. either AMD (defined as having at least a medium druse \>63 um), or having eyes with normal ageing changes (including small drusen ≤63 um) or no abnormalities as control participants Exclusion Criteria: 1. ocular or systemic conditions other than AMD that could compromise retinal assessment or assessment of AMD and its progression; or 2. any participant with any mental or physical impairment that prevents them from signing an informed consent form or participating in this study.