Complement therapy in dry age-related macular degeneration

The leading cause of vision loss in industrialized countries is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its prevalence is increasing with the ageing of the population. Thus, since dysfunction of the local complement system is associated with AMD, the retinal pigment epithelium–choroid complex is a potential location for the delivery of novel therapeutic agents that target the complement cascade. We present an introduction to the complement cascade and a review of current literature that summarizes the role of current and future drugs that may potentially be available as targets in the management of AMD.