Combating vision loss through research

Dr. Chaudhary, Chief of Ophthalmology, standing outside the entrance of the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute looking directly at the camera

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the most precious part of a person’s eyesight – central vision – which has an enormous impact on how individuals function from day to day. AMD can lead to loss of independence, social isolation, and other quality-of-life indicators. This may lead to further health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and dementia. 

It is estimated that 2.5 million Canadians are living with age-related macular degeneration – the leading cause of vision loss and legal blindness in Canadians aged 55 and older. By 2040, the disease is projected to affect nearly 300 million people globally. 

“Given the multicultural nature of the Canadian population, fully understanding the disease load among Canadians can help our healthcare system address current and future care needs for AMD,” says Dr. Varun Chaudhary, chief of ophthalmology at St. Joe’s and professor of surgery at McMaster University. 

But a national study on AMD has never been done before – until now. Dr. Chaudhary and his research team are leading Canada’s most comprehensive study into AMD, the Radiographic Evidence study of Age-related macular Degeneration, or READ study. The team will leverage retinal images and biomarkers from people aged 45 to 85 enrolled in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and other cohorts. They aim to determine the prevalence of AMD among Canadians and shed light on the genetic and lifestyle risk factors linked to developing it, as well as ways to slow vision loss in patients with AMD.  

To support this important work, a $750,000 grant was generously awarded by the Juravinski Research Institute (JRI) on behalf of Hamilton philanthropists Charles and Margaret Juravinski. The JRI was established with an endowment of more than $100 million to fund health research at St. Joe’s, McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences in perpetuity.  

“As he got older, Charlie developed macular degeneration,” said Margaret Juravinski, six months before her passing. “It caused his vision to blur, and made day-to-day activities like reading, driving, and even recognizing faces more difficult. I think he’d be happy to know that funding we’re providing from the JRI is helping researchers in Hamilton to explore ways that more Canadians can retain the gift of sight as they age.” 

Approximately 90 percent of Canadians diagnosed with AMD have the “dry” form of the disease that occurs in the macula – the small area at the back of the eye that is responsible for central, high-resolution, colour vision. There are no effective treatment options that slow or limit vision loss for “dry” AMD, but researchers working on the READ study hope to change that.  

The READ study helped St. Joe’s to establish the new Advanced Vitreo-Retinal Imaging Lab. 

“There, imaging experts, clinicians, and expert researchers from around the world are collaborating to develop and train cutting edge AI techniques to help early diagnosis for AMD in Canadian patients and to help understand risk factors and burden of AMD in Canada,” says Dr. Chaudhary.  

“Early diagnosis and early management are vital for patients living with AMD to optimize their vision outcomes. Fortunately, the READ study is developing platforms that can help Canadians living with AMD from coast to coast.”