Epidemiology

Worldwide, epidemiologic prevalence estimates for wet AMD range from less than 2% to more than 10% of people aged more than 50 years. Despite employing different definitions of AMD as well as different size study populations and grading systems, these estimates indicate that wet AMD may affect hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, representing a major public health concern.

In all cases, studies have found that the presence of neovascular AMD increases significantly with age, particularly in people aged more than 65 years.¹³ In countries where the average age of the population is increasing (see below), the prevalence of AMD is also expected to rise.

Other Factors
Although increased age remains the principal risk factor in cases of AMD, studies have identified a number of other risk factors that may also contribute to its onset, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, elevated levels of serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, race, and family history.¹⁵ A single study, for example, found that 75% of patients who had AMD (dry or wet) also had a history of one or more cardiovascular diseases — diseases that included myocardial infarction, angina, other heart problems, and hypertension.¹⁵ Studies have also shown a positive association between smoking and wet AMD.¹⁶