Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly whose etiology remains largely unknown. Previous studies identified chromosome 1q32 as harboring a susceptibility locus for AMD, but it was not identified. We identified a strongly associated haplotype in two independent data sets. DNA sequencing of the complement factor II gene (CFII) within this haplotype revealed a coding variant, Y402II, that significantly increases the risk for AMD with odds ratios between 2.45 and 5.57. This identifies Complement factor II as involved in pathogenesis of AMD. This single variant alone is so common that it likely explains 43 percent of AMD in older adults. In addition, we have replicated and refined previous reports implicating a coding change in LOC387715 as the second major AMD susceptibility allele. The effect of rs10490924 appears to be completely independent of the Y402H variant in the CFH gene.

Abstract: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) cases possessing the LOC387715 (rs 10490924) variant have a higher risk of neovascular AMD. Individuals with AMD who are homozygous for both variants might be at greater risk for earlier onset of neovascular AMD. Determining the presence of this variant indicates which path the disease may take and which nutritional, supplement, or medicaments are appropriate.

Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly whose etiology remains largely unknown. Previous studies identified chromosome 1q32 as harboring a susceptibility locus for AMD, but it was not identified. We identified a strongly associated haplotype in two independent data sets. DNA sequencing of the complement factor II gene (CHI) within this haplotype revealed a coding variant, Y402II, that significantly increases the risk for AMD with odds ratios between 2.45 and 5.57. This identifies Complement factor II as involved in pathogenesis of AMD. This single variant alone is so common that it likely explains 43 percent of AMD in older adults. In addition, we have replicated and refined previous reports implicating a coding change in LOC387715 as the second major AMD susceptibility allele. The effect of rs10490924 appears to be completely independent of the Y402II variant in the CFH gene.

Abstract: Examination of 956 age-related macular degeneration cases showed that the complement factor H variant (Y402H, C allele at rs1061170) increases risk for the development of peripheral reticular pigmentary change. AMD phenotypes of 796 carriers of the CFH Y402H variant were compared to the AMD phenotypes of 160 non-carriers. Of 34 phenotypic features analyzed, only peripheral reticular pigmentary change (PRPC) was associated with this CFH variant (P-value 0.0006). The proportion of AMD cases with PRPC correlated with the number of CFH risk C alleles in a dose-response fashion. The association of CFH Y402H polymorphism with PRPC suggests that AMD changes are not limited to the macula. Current AMD grading methods assess only the macula; peripheral retinal changes should also be included in grading methods. PRPC may be used as a surrogate of a high-risk genotype and may be used for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.

Abstract: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) cases possessing the LOC387715 (rs10490924) variant have a higher risk of neovascular AMD. Individuals with AMD who are homozygous for both variants might be at greater risk for earlier onset of neovascular AMD. Determining the presence of this variant indicates which path the disease may take and which nutritional, supplement, or medicaments are appropriate.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, especially for opthalmological surgical procedures, have a smooth, bulbous arcuate tip that surrounds the distal end of a lumen. The tip may be translucent and flexible. Most preferably, the tip is formed of a compliant, yet self-supporting, material, such as medical grade transparent silicone elastomer. The bulbous arcuate tip may take various geometric forms, for example, generally spherical, ellipsoid or the like. The bulbous arcuate tip may be symmetrical about the elongate axis of the instrument or may be asymmetrical (i.e., angularly disposed) relative to such longitudinal axis. The surgical instruments of this invention are most preferably made by first adhering a length of compliant tubing (e.g., silicone) onto a distal end of a rigid tube (e.g., a section of a stainless steel needle). The proximal rigid tube section is preferably coaxially sleeved over, and affixed to, the distal compliant tube section.

Abstract: Hand-held instruments have an actuator assembly which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial force about the entirety of the instrument circumference (i.e., is omni-actuatable). Most preferably, the actuator assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart generally L-shaped actuator levers defining respective arcuate bearing surfaces along exterior edge regions thereof, and a retaining ring which circumferentially bounds the actuator levers around the exterior edge regions thereof. The retaining ring most preferably defines an interior stationary arcuate guide surface in conformable mated relationship to the bearing surfaces of said actuator levers.