The first data necessary for the first research study on Age-Linked Macular Degeneration, a progressive lesion of the macula, the central and most vital area of the retina, which leads to the gradual loss of central vision, has been collected. The study has a European scope and is taking place on a platform coordinated in Coimbra, by the Association for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Light and Image (AIBILI).
The data essentially consists of image files and will be inserted into a large database that will be made available to the scientific community in ophthalmology through the Eye Platform. The collection was made during clinical practice, and is now reused for the platform created as part of the research.
They will be able to be used in screening programs, as well as increasing the efficiency of professionals in their clinical practice to support diagnosis and monitor the prediction of disease progression, the president of AIBILI told JN.
In addition to wanting to anticipate the progression of the health problem in question, the platform appears as a contribution to the development of medicines aimed at its prevention.
According to Conceição Lobo, “there will be an agreement with interested entities for the transfer of data for the purpose of carrying out clinical research in ophthalmology”. She also believes that the database “allows further investigations to be carried out and healthcare to be improved”.
The European Network of Clinical Research Centers in Ophthalmology responsible for the project is made up of 95 centers from 16 countries and aims to strengthen the European Union’s capacity to study ophthalmological diseases and develop diagnostic, prevention and treatment strategies in ophthalmology. For this first study, AIBILI received data from 25 centers.
The platform has been gathering information since May 2023, ending in February 2024.
