U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Americans are getting older on average, as roughly 73 million Baby Boomers reach retirement age in what’s been called a “gray tsunami.” An aging populace likely means more people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)* a new study says.

What is AMD?

While glaucoma is the primary cause of blindness worldwide, AMD is a leading cause of blindness among Americans. The progressive eye disease affects the macula, the central part of the retina that provides high-resolution vision when looking straight ahead. AMD is marked by medium-sized fat and protein deposits called drusen below the retina, and problems with the retina’s outer pigmented cell layer that nourishes the retina.

There are two types of AMD.

• Dry AMD is when there is thinning of the macula.
• Wet AMD involves growth of abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eye that damage the macula.

Wet AMD is less common and causes faster vision loss, whereas dry AMD develops gradually with no symptoms early on. By its late stage, however, straight lines can appear wavy and central vision can be blurred or lost.

Symptoms and risk factors of AMD

Whereas glaucoma affects the peripheral (side vision first), AMD mainly affects central vision. If both diseases happen concurrently, the visual area impacted will be greater than with just one disease.

Both diseases share gradual symptoms of:

• Blurry and distorted vision, and 
• Color fading.

They also share common risk factors in:

• Age (over 60 years old) and 
• Family history of the disease. 

Development of AMD and glaucoma can be influenced by multiple genes, though genetic testing isn’t advised. A person’s health behavior and other life factors can also influence disease development. Older age is the strongest risk factor for AMD.

More Americans struggling with AMD

A new study in JAMA Ophthalmology found that almost 20 million Americans were living with AMD in 2019. Of that number:

• 18.3 million (92.5%) were aged 40 and over and in early-stage AMD, and
• 1.5 million (7.5%) were in the advanced stage. 

The study was led by David B. Rein, Ph.D., who oversees the public health analytics program at the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center (NORC), using data from a variety of sources such as Medicare claims and Census Bureau population data. AMD prevalence was found to vary widely by:

• Age,  
• Race,   
• Ethnicity, and 
• County.  

That said, Raj Maturi, M.D. with the American Academy of Ophthalmology noted that early-stage AMD cases can be hard to determine, since there isn’t a consensus on its definition.

Still, Rein said, “Given the growing number of all Americans ages 50 and older, what we can expect is the total number of late AMD cases to increase in the future, even if the rate of occurrence at ages lower than age 80 is the same as previously estimated.” People over 50 should be getting their eyes checked regularly for AMD and other disorders, he advised.

Treating and preventing AMD

Like glaucoma, AMD has no cure. Treatment may slow loss of vision, but can’t restore it. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment via regular eye exams are critical for preserving sight.

The new study findings on AMD prevalence will help to locate and treat people with late-stage AMD, though there are currently no proven drug treatments for dry AMD, though Maturi says that several are in the pipeline. 

To reduce the chances of AMD, it’s helpful to:

• Not smoke,
• Exercise regularly,
• Eat a healthful diet, and
• Maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure.

Maturi also says it’s helpful to take an antioxidant supplement formulated for AMD prevention, with vitamin E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin—”micronutrients that are actually present in the center of our eye.”

*Murez, C. (2022, November 8). Almost 20 million older Americans live with sight-robbing macular degeneration. MDLinx. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/almost-20-million-older-americans-live-with-sight-robbing-macular-degeneration

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