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- Title
The epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration in the Indian subcontinent.
- Authors
Jyh Haur Woo; Sanjay, Srinivasan; Kah-Guan Au Eong
- Abstract
Context: The Indian subcontinent is one of the most populous regions in the world. Given the projected rapid population growth and ageing of the population, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is likely to emerge as a major public health threat in the near future. However, existing literature on AMD in the region is scarce. Methods: This paper reviews the epidemiology and risk factors of AMD in the Indian subcontinent. Results: Data on AMD in India show prevalences ranging from 1.8% to 4.7%. Blindness prevalence studies in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have also reported rates of 2.1% to 8.7% for all blindness attributable to AMD. Age-related macular degeneration is therefore a significant cause of visual morbidity in these countries. To date, no reliable epidemiological data on AMD or blindness have been published for Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives or Bhutan. Conclusions: The prevalence of AMD in the region is likely to follow a trend similar to that seen in the developed world in the coming years. Eye care policies should therefore make provisions for this chronic age-related eye disease. In addition, there is an urgent need for more data on the epidemiology of AMD in the Indian subcontinent.
- Publication
Acta Ophthalmologica (1755375X), 2009, Vol 87, Issue 3, p262
- ISSN
1755-375X
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.01376.x