Ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target for age-related macular degeneration

[Display omitted] •This review summarizes the complex regulatory networks and pathways involved in the process of ferroptosis in retinal cells.•Ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), making it a potential target for targeted therapeutic interventions.•The review provides an overview of potential iron chelators and antioxidants that target ferroptosis to protect retinal cells for the treatment of AMD.•We discuss the challenges and opportunities in basic research on ferroptosis and in using ferroptosis as a therapeutic target for clinical applications. Cell death plays a crucial part in the process of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but its mechanisms remain elusive. Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis, a novel form of regulatory cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides, has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AMD. Numerous studies have suggested that ferroptosis participates in the degradation of retinal cells and accelerates the progression of AMD. Furthermore, inhibitors of ferroptosis exhibit notable protective effects in AMD, underscoring the significance of ferroptosis as a pivotal mechanism in the death of retinal cells during the process of AMD. This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in AMD, enumerate potential inhibitors and discuss the challenges and future opportunities associated with targeting ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy, providing important information references and insights for the prevention and treatment of AMD.