Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the US in 2019

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. AMD prevalence has not been estimated for the US in over a decade and early-stage AMD prevalence estimates are scarce and inconsistently measured.

To produce estimates of early- and late-stage AMD prevalence overall and by age, gender, race and ethnicity, county, and state. Design, Setting, and Participants: The study team conducted a bayesian meta-regression analysis of relevant data sources containing information on the prevalence of AMD among different population groups in the US. Data Sources: We included data from the American Community Survey (2019), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2008), US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services claims for fee-for-service beneficiaries (2018), and population-based studies (2004-2016). Study Selection: We included all relevant data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The prevalence of early- and late-stage AMD was estimated and stratified when possible by factors including county, age group, gender, and race and ethnicity. Data analysis occurred from June 2021 to April 2022. Main Outcomes or Measures: The prevalence of early- (defined as retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities or the presence of drusen 125 or more microns in diameter in either eye) and late-stage (defined as choroidal neovascularization and/or geographic atrophy in either eye) manifestations of AMD.