Method of treatment or prevention of age-related macular degeneration

The method of a carotenoid, such as lutein and/or zeaxanthin, and/or a mixture of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc and copper in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject which has been identified as being at risk of developing AMD, or as suffering from AMD.

A method of determining a substance to be administered to an individual, a method comprising:

• a) determining the susceptibility of the individual to age-related macular degeneration (AMD);
• and
• b) on the basis of the determination in (a), identifying a substance capable of treating and/or preventing age-related macular degeneration in that individual.

A method for treatment and/or prevention of age-related macular degeneration, which method comprises:

• a) identifying or assessing the risk of an individual developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD);
• and
• b) providing an effective amount of a substance to the individual, wherein the substance is able to prevent or treat age-related macular degeneration, or mitigate or alleviate symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.

A method of providing a customized composition, the method comprising providing a composition suitable for the individual that is susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (or an age-related macular degeneration-related disorder), wherein the individual has been (eg. genetically) determined to be susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (or an age-related macular degeneration-related disorder).

A method for identifying a substance for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (or an age-related macular degeneration-related disorder), the method comprising:

• (a) contacting an age-related macular degeneration allelic variant polypeptide or a polynucleotide which encodes an age-related macular degeneration allelic variant with a test agent;
• and
• (b) determining whether the agent is capable of binding to the polypeptide or modulating the activity or expression of the polypeptide or polynucleotide and providing (such as administering or communicating) the substance (or its identity) to an individual.

A database comprising information relating to age-related macular degeneration allelic variants and optionally their association with age-related macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration-related disorder(s) and/or substances capable of preventing or treating age-related macular degeneration.