Epigenetic modifications as potential therapeutic targets in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

Recently, aberrant epigenetic modifications have been identified in the pathogenesis of the posterior eye diseases, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This has led to the development of alternative therapies that can alter aberrant chromatin-remodelling processes involved in AMD and DR. These novel therapeutic agents could help to ameliorate the challenges associated with current treatments that are limited by variable patient response and disease heterogeneity. However, research on the use of epigenetic-based therapies in these diseases is relatively young and, therefore, preclinical studies that evaluate their mechanism of action, specificity and adverse effects are warranted.