Now, Aalto University researchers have uncovered a promising way to treat the dry form of the disease in the early diagnosis phase that could potentially stop its progression. The novel treatment approach aims to strengthen the protective mechanisms of affected cells using heat, explains Professor Ari Koskelainen. The research was published in Nature Communications on 29 October.

“Cellular functionality and protective mechanisms weaken with age, which exposes the fundus [the inside surface at the back of the eye] to intense oxidative stress,” he explains. “Free oxygen radicals damage proteins, which causes them to misfold and aggregate, then fatty protein deposits called drusen begin to accumulate, which is the main diagnostic criterion for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration.”