Role of lipid metabolism in the progression and treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nARMD)is a prevalent age-related retinal disease that significantly impairs vision. Numerous studies have shown that lipid metabolism disorders contribute to the progression of nARMD. The relationship is complex and involved factors such as fatty acids, cholesterol, variations in lipid metabolism genes, and other influencing factors. Lipid metabolism disorders lead to retinal vascular abnormalities and inflammatory responses by triggering oxidative stress and inhibiting autophagy. This, in turn, accelerates the formation of new blood vessels and causes damage to macular cells and tissues. In animal experiments, drugs designed for lipid metabolism disorders have shown that regulating lipid metabolism could be a potentially effective strategy for treating nARMD. This article reviews the role of lipid metabolism in the progression and treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, aiming to offer new insights for nARMD treatment.