Understanding wet age-related macular degeneration: an organ-on-a-chip model of the outer blood-retinal barrier

This thesis aims to report on developing this platform that recapitulates the native in vivo microenvironment of the oBRB with clinically relevant readouts to validate the disease conditions. We believe that this will pave the way for developing and testing new treatments for AMD. Currently, AMD therapy involves series of treatments that are expensive and stressing for patients. Anecdotal evidence in patients suggests that two widely accessible anti-inflammatory (aescine) and anti-histaminic (cetirizine) drugs also work. About 10 patients used these oral compounds daily and at least 8 of them claim to have beneficial effects on their eyesight. The visible changes to their life quality can be experienced as early as 6 months following the regular administration of these drugs. However, in order to prove the effectiveness of these treatments properly, extensive clinical trials are needed. Clinicians are only willing to undertake such trials if the presumed mechanism of action of this experimental treatment can first be further demonstrated and proven. The platform presented in this thesis aims to pave the way for further clinical studies and more widespread clinical and pharmaceutical acceptance of this promising treatment for wet-AMD