Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that impacts the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision.1 It is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.1 Wet AMD is an advanced form of the disease that can cause rapid and severe vision loss.2
A Growing Disease
PREVALENCE OF AMD
Approximately 20 million Americans have some form of macular degeneration, with nearly 1.5 million Americans living with late-stage AMD. 1,3
IMPACT OF WET AMD
90% of AMD-related severe vision loss is caused by wet AMD,2 and about 200,000 new cases of wet AMD are diagnosed each year in the U.S.1,4
Effect of Wet AMD on Your Eye2
Damage can lead to rapid and severe vision loss
Abnormal blood vessels form within the retina
The blood vessels leak blood or fluid in the macula, causing swelling or damage
Impact on Everyday Vision1
Wet AMD may impact the ability to:
SEE OR RECOGNIZE FACES
READ AND WRITE
DRIVE
WATCH TV
Signs and Symptoms5
Wet AMD can typically appear suddenly and progress quickly. Symptoms typically include:
SUDDEN BLURRED VISION
BLIND SPOTS DEVELOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD OF VISION
DIFFICULTY DISTINGUISHING COLORS
EDGES OR LINES APPEAR WAVY
AMD Risk Factors1,5,6
AGE
OBESITY
FAMILY HISTORY
GENDER
Women are at a higher risk for AMD
RACE
Caucasians are more likely to develop AMD
SMOKING
Increases risk by 2-5 times
Annual Dilated Retina Eye Exam
Experts recommend that you visit an eye doctor every year for a dilated eye exam. It’s the best way to detect changes in vision.
References
- BrightFocus Foundation. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Facts & Figures. Available at: https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/article/age-related-macular-facts-figures. Accessed February 3, 2023.
- Prevent Blindness. What is AMD?. Available at: https://preventblindness.org/amd-age-related-macular-degeneration/. Accessed February 3, 2023.
- JAMA Ophthalmology. Original Investigation: Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the US in 2019. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2797921. Accessed February 3, 2023.
- Maguire MG.Comparing treatments for age-related macular degeneration: safety, effectiveness and cost. Issue Brief. 2012;17(8). Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. Accessed February 7, 2020. ldi. upenn.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Issue%20Brief%2017_8.pdf
- BrightFocus Foundation. Macular Degeneration: Essential Facts. Available at: http://www.brightfocus.org/macular/news/macular-essential-facts February 3, 2023.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is Macular Degeneration?. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration. Accessed February 3, 2023.