About Patients with End-Stage AMD
According to National Eye Institute statistics, advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in one or both eyes with associated vision loss affects approximately 1.8 million people in the U.S. in the year 2000 - we estimate that number now exceeds 2 million. Another 7.3 million people are reported to be at substantial risk for vision loss from AMD. Due to the rapid aging of the U.S. population this number is expected to double by the year 2050.(1)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is most common in people 65 years of age and older. Although people with AMD do not generally go completely blind, many people whose AMD has advanced find it difficult to read, recognize people, drive, and perform other everyday functions that require central vision.
End-Stage AMD, the most advanced form of AMD causing a central blind spot, is the leading cause of irreversible legal blindness in the U.S.
1 Rein DB, Wittenborn JS, Zhang X, et al. Forecasting Age-Related Macular Degeneration Through the Year 2050: The potential impact of new treatments. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127:533-540.
