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NHS estimates of the UK suggest that upto 700,000 new cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) will present each year by 2020.

That is a year on year increase of around 15%, which makes it a cause for concern.

On the NHS Choices website they say;

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, a highly sensitive part of the retina at the back of the eye that is responsible for central vision. As the name implies, the condition is associated with ageing, and it is a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. As AMD progresses a person will gradually lose the ability to see things in their central field of vision, which is needed for important activities, such as reading, writing and driving. There are two different types of the disease: dry AMD and wet AMD (also called neovascular AMD or NVAMD). Wet AMD involves the formation of new blood vessels.

Dry AMD, the most common form, is associated with a gradual breakdown of the cells in the retina. Dry AMD is usually subdivided into early and late stages. In early-stage dry AMD there may be a few characteristic yellow deposits (known as drusen) under the retina, but there is minimal effect on vision. In advanced or later-stage dry AMD, there will be both drusen deposits and breakdown (atrophy) of the retinal cells.

This later-stage dry AMD is sometimes called ‘geographical atrophy’ and is associated with gradual loss of vision.

A small proportion of those with dry AMD will go on to develop wet AMD. This is where new and abnormal blood vessels start to grow in an attempt to re-supply the damaged retina with oxygen and nutrients. These vessels are fragile and can leak blood and fluid, causing more sudden and rapid loss of vision than dry AMD.

While little can be done to prevent the progression of dry AMD, the blood vessel growth of wet AMD is usually treated by laser, photodynamic (light) drugs or injections of drugs that prevent the growth of the abnormal blood vessels (called anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, anti-VEGFs).

A major study in 2012 showed the following results;

Overall prevalence of late AMD in the UK population aged 50 or over was 2.4% (95% credible interval [CrI] 1.7% to 3.3%). This is equivalent to 513,000 cases (95% CrI 363,000 to 699,000) and is estimated to increase to 679,000 cases by 2020.

– In those aged 65 or over, prevalence of late AMD was 4.8% and in those aged 80 or over, 12.2%.
– Prevalence of GA was 1.3% overall (95% CrI 0.9% to 1.9%), 2.6% in those aged 65 and above (95% CrI 1.8% to 3.7%) and 6.7% in those aged 80 and above (95% CrI 4.6% to 9.6%).
– Prevalence of wet AMD (NVAMD) was 1.2% overall (95% CrI 0.9% to 1.7%), 2.5% in those aged 65 and above (95% CrI 1.8% to 3.4%) and 6.3% in those aged 80 and above (95% CrI 4.5% to 8.6%).
– The estimated number of cases of late AMD were 60% higher in women than men (314,000 cases in women, 192,000 in men).
– The authors say that by 2020 there will be 394,000 women and 285,000 men (679,000 in all) with late AMD. This equates to an increase of a third over current rates.
– They calculate that until 2020 there will be 71,000 new cases of late AMD each year, with higher numbers in women.
– Annual incidence (new cases each year) of late AMD overall was estimated at 4.1 per 1,000 women (95% CrI 2.4 to 6.8) and 2.6 per 1,000 men (95% CrI 1.5 to 4.4).

Using supplements has long been shown to benefit general eye health and significantly reduce the incidence of developing conditions like AMD.

One study from 2013* is typical in showing that formulations containing antioxidants (e.g. Lutein) vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene and zinc proved highly effective in both preventing AMD and helping control it once established.

Others such as a large cohort study from 2014** show similar results for supplements in the fight against cataracts.

It is clear that if we are serious about maintaining our sight we need to take our nutrition much more seriously, what could be easier than a simple daily supplement to keep your future bright and pin sharp.

* Chew, E. Y., Clemons, T. E., Agrón, E., Sperduto, R. D., SanGiovanni, J. P., Kurinij, N., … & Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. (2013). Long-term effects of vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and zinc on age-related macular degeneration: AREDS report no. 35. Ophthalmology, 120(8), 1604-1611.
** Christen, W. G., Glynn, R. J., Manson, J. E., MacFadyen, J., Bubes, V., Schvartz, M., … & Gaziano, J. M. (2014). Effects of multivitamin supplement on cataract and age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial of male physicians. Ophthalmology, 121(2), 525-534.