AMD cases set to rise

New research suggests the NHS is significantly underestimating the number of people who will develop age-related vision loss over the next decade.

New cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of vision loss, will increase by a third in the UK over the next ten years, experts have warned.

According to scientists at St George’s, University of London, 2.4 per cent of over-50s had advanced AMD between 2007 and 2009.

This means that approximately 513,000 people had the condition, 60 per cent of whom were women.

The experts calculated that this figure is likely to rise to 679,000 cases by 2020, as a result of the population ageing.

They also estimate that there will be 71,000 new cases of advanced AMD each year, including 40,000 cases of wet AMD.

Age-related macular degeneration

Writing in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the study authors noted that AMD is “major” cause of vision loss in high-income countries, and that the majority of blind and partial sight certifications in the UK are linked to AMD.

They revealed: “These evidence-based estimates can be used to help plan social and healthcare provision for the present and the future.”

The Macular Disease Society, which funded the study, warned that the NHS is significantly underestimating the number of people with AMD.

Chief executive Helen Jackman said: “This is a very important and welcome piece of research.

“It reveals the real impact of AMD and demonstrates the need for government and the NHS to give this a higher priority.”