Cell Collection to Study Eye Diseases

Background:

- Best Vitelliform Dystrophy (Best disease), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration (L-ORD), and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) all affect the retina, the light sensing area at the back of the eye. Doctors cannot safely obtain retinal cells to study these diseases. However, cells collected from hair follicles, skin, saliva, urine, and blood can be used for research. Researchers want to collect cells from people with Best disease, L-ORD, and AMD, and compare their cells with those of healthy volunteers.

Objectives:

- To collect hair, skin, saliva, urine, and/or blood samples to study three eye diseases that affect the retina: Best disease, L-ORD, and AMD.

Eligibility:

• Individuals affected with ocular condition is one year of age or older.
• Individuals affected with Best disease, L-ORD, or AMD is 18 years of age or older.
• Unaffected individuals are seven years of age or older.

Design:

• The study requires one visit to the National Eye Institute.
• Participants will be screened with a medical and eye disease history. They may also have an eye exam.
• Participants will provide a hair sample, saliva sample, urine sample, blood sample, and/or a skin biopsy. The hair will be collected from the back of the head, and the skin will be collected from the inside of the upper arm.