Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of blindness in people aged 65 and older in developed nations. Recent estimates suggest that, globally, the number of individuals affected by AMD could rise to approximately 288 million by 2040.

Researchers from Tongji University School of Medicine and collaborating institutions have discovered that NP65 plays a crucial role in maintaining normal visual function in mice. The study, published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, found that mice lacking NP65 exhibit impaired visual responses.

Among the most significant genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration is the Y402H variant of complement factor H, which, along with its splice isoform FHL-1, impairs binding to the retinal surface.