The Economic Burden of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Global and Regional Cost Insights

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults worldwide. Yet, while the clinical impact of AMD is widely recognized, its economic burden is often underestimated. Recent data show that AMD imposes enormous costs not only on healthcare systems but also on families, caregivers, and society at large.

The Scale of the Problem

The financial impact of AMD extends far beyond direct medical expenses. Costs include treatment, medications, eye exams, and surgeries — but the majority comes from indirect costs such as:

Lost productivity (patients and caregivers leaving the workforce)
Long-term care and assisted living expenses
The cost of caregiving and assistive devices
Reduced quality of life and well-being

By the Numbers

United States: Late-stage AMD alone costs an estimated $49.4 billion annually. Another study found the broader economic burden of vision loss in the U.S. to be $134.2 billion, with AMD representing a significant share.
Germany: Annual costs are estimated at €7.6 billion (~$8.6 billion).
Bulgaria: The burden reaches €449.5 million (~$512.5 million), a massive figure relative to population size.
Worldwide: Vision impairment, with AMD as a major contributor, accounts for $411 billion in lost productivity every year.

Per-patient costs also highlight the heavy financial strain:

The average annual cost of AMD treatment per person in the U.S. is $1,290, but for wet (neovascular) AMD, treatment costs can rise dramatically to $8,800–$23,400 per year, largely due to the expense of anti-VEGF injections.

The economic costs, both direct and indirect, associated with AMD.

AMD vs. Dementia: An Overlooked Comparison

For context, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia often dominate public discourse and funding priorities. Yet AMD, with its 200+ million global cases today and projected 288 million by 2040, rivals or exceeds dementia in prevalence. Unlike dementia, AMD has actionable preventive measures and early interventions that can significantly reduce progression and maintain independence.

The lack of awareness and funding directed toward AMD means millions of patients and families face unnecessary financial strain, often compounded by loss of independence and need for long-term care.

Why Action Matters

The numbers are clear: AMD is not just a medical issue but a pressing public health and economic challenge. Greater awareness, earlier detection, and preventive strategies are crucial to reducing both the personal and societal costs of AMD.

Nutrition and supplementation (including antioxidants, carotenoids, and saffron-based formulations like Saffron 2020), alongside lifestyle adjustments such as smoking cessation, diet improvements, and blood pressure management, represent cost-effective strategies to help preserve vision and independence.

Cost-Saving Interventions for Managing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Managing AMD effectively is not only vital for preserving vision but also for reducing the enormous economic burden associated with treatment, caregiving, and lost productivity. Evidence-based, cost-saving strategies include:

Nutritional supplements (AREDS/AREDS2 formula): Proven to be cost-effective in slowing the progression of intermediate and advanced AMD. Supplements reduce the need for expensive intravitreal anti-VEGF injections by supporting retinal health.
Anti-VEGF therapy for wet AMD:
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatments are the standard of care for neovascular (wet) AMD. These injectable therapies—using molecules such as ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab—work by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the retina. By targeting VEGF, these treatments help preserve vision, reduce the risk of severe vision loss, and improve long-term outcomes. Regular use of anti-VEGF therapy has been shown to significantly decrease the burden of blindness from wet AMD.
Early detection and home monitoring: Technologies like spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT), Amsler grid self-testing, and home telemonitoring allow earlier diagnosis of neovascular AMD. Early intervention prevents severe vision loss and reduces long-term treatment costs.
Lifestyle modifications: Smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, weight management, blood pressure control, and regular exercise all help lower the risk of AMD onset and progression—minimizing both direct and indirect costs.
Blood sugar control: While more evidence is emerging, studies suggest that diabetes and uncontrolled blood glucose may increase AMD risk. Encouraging sugar control may reduce risk and slow progression, complementing other preventive measures.
Sun protection: Simple measures like wearing sunglasses to reduce UV exposure help lower oxidative stress on the retina, providing a low-cost preventive action for aging populations.
Cost-effective drug protocols: Biosimilars, longer-acting injectables, and individualized treatment regimens (based on disease activity) help lower drug and administration costs without compromising outcomes.
Public health campaigns and patient education: Raising awareness of early symptoms, promoting nutritional support, and encouraging regular eye check-ups improve early detection, reduce late-stage cases, and cut overall healthcare expenses.
Emerging therapies and research: Advances such as gene therapy (inducing anti-VEGF expression), stem cell therapy, and AI-driven risk prediction tools hold promise for long-term cost reductions—though they are still under clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

The economic burden of AMD is already staggering and will only grow as populations age. By highlighting these costs, we can push for better awareness, greater research investment, and wider access to preventive and supportive care.

Protecting sight is not just a medical necessity — it is a matter of economic sustainability, family well-being, and quality of life.

References

Ophthalmology Times. “Economic burden of late-stage age-related macular degeneration.” March 30, 2025.
Retina International. “AMD Impact: Cost of Illness Study.” October 29, 2024.
ReachMD. “Economic Implications of Eye Diseases: A Global Perspective.” December 18, 2024.
International study illuminates economic burden of late-stage age-related macular degeneration. Europe Ophthalmology Times, March 27, 2025.
JAMA Ophthalmology. “Economic Burden of Late-Stage Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” November 30, 2024.
PMC. “Economic Burden of Late-Stage Age-Related Macular Degeneration.”.
Contact Lenses Plus. “Macular Degeneration Statistics Worldwide in 2025.” June 17, 2025.

The Economic Burden of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Growing Public Health Crisis