Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in the world, particularly among people aged 65 and older.

In the United States, an estimated 2.1 million people aged 50 and older have advanced or late-stage AMD (with loss of visual function) and another 9.1 million have early intermediate AMD (with minimal to significant vision loss).

The number of people around the world with diagnosed AMD is expected to reach 196 million by the year 2020, as life expectancies rise and populations age.

Women are more likely than men to develop AMD.

AMD is more common in Caucasians.

If an immediate family member has AMD, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

AMD is twice as prevalent as Alzheimer’s disease in people over the age of 60.

Middle-aged adults have about a 2% risk of developing AMD, which increases to almost 30% in adults over age 75.

AMD is responsible for almost 8.7% of all blindness due to diseases of the eye, varying from 0% in Sub-Saharan Africa to 50% in industrialized nations.

AMD accounts for 50% of disease-related blindness in industrialized nations.

Cost:

In terms of financial burden, the cost of AMD treatment and care is substantial.

Worldwide, the financial burden of vision loss due to AMD is estimated to exceed US $343 billion, with US $255 attributed to direct costs. In the United States alone, the annual economic burden of vision loss and eye disorders is estimated to be US $66.8 billion in direct costs and US $72.2 billion in indirect costs. Only three chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease, and hypertension impose higher economic burdens.