Levodopa Positively Affects Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness worldwide. Neovascular AMD (nAMD) is an advanced form of the disease, in which excess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces growth of new blood vessels that leak fluid, accounting for 90% of vision loss in AMD. Dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium likely initiates AMD. Retinal pigment epithelial cells express a G protein-coupled receptor, GPR143, which down-regulates VEGF in response to levodopa. Anti-VEGF therapy effectively treats nAMD, suggesting excessive VEGF activity drives the pathology.