Figure 1.

Oxidative stress (OS) is widely accepted as a key player in the initiation and progression of ocular diseases, including AMD. The chain reactions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) include the anion superoxide (O₂ ^•−), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radical (^•OH), all of them being able to importantly damage the cells through oxidation of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These alterations lead to changes in protein function. Abbreviations: e: electron, SOD: superoxide dysmutase, and Fe: iron.