BEIJING, Mar. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- A genetic mutation could be linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - which affects between 10 million and 15 million people in the United States alone and is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly - researchers said on Thursday.

A genetic mutation could be linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - which affects between 10 million and 15 million people in the United States alone and is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly - researchers said on Thursday.

    U.S. scientists in three separate studies all pinpointed a gene called CFH for complement factor H, according to a Reuters report. It is involved in a component of the immune system that regulates inflammation.

    The discovery probably won't lead to new treatments in the near future, but it may provide dcoctors with a tool to detect the condition earlier, researchers say.

    The macula is a circular area at the center of the retina and is packed with cones, the structures that help in seeing color, detect motion and making out fine detail.

    In the normal process of aging, yellowish waste deposits accumulate around the macula, but in AMD, they are bigger and there are more of them. They kill eye cells and affect central vision.

    Smoking, obesity, and a high-fat diet all raise the risk of AMD, while fruits and vegetables help lower the risk. People who know they are genetically vulnerable by AMD can watch their diet and quit smoking. Enditem

    (Agencies)