Recent studies demonstrate significant differences in plasma concentrations of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-3 proteins in patients with AMD: higher levels of TIMP-1 and MMP-9 in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) and lower levels of TIMP-3 and lower TIMP-3/MMP-2 ratios in patients with CNV (79). This evidence concerns the gene MMP2 and atrophic macular degeneration.