Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment
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It is common knowledge that as a person ages, their body weakens and may not function as well as it did when they were young. Now that technology has advanced greatly, a larger number of people are able to live in their sixties and even beyond. While this is, by no means, bad news, the global burden of disease has increased rapidly because of the rise in the geriatric population.
As per the World Health Organization, “By 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015.” Due to the weakened state of their body and immunocompromised nature, old people fall sick more often than younger adults. Owing to this, a large number of aged people require frequent medical attention. One of the diseases that commonly affects people over the age of 50 is age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
The disease occurs when the macula, part of the retina, is damaged. The person suffering from this disease loses their central vision and cannot see fine details from far away or close by. AMD is of two types, namely dry and wet, with the former type more common, being detected in 8 out of 10 people suffering from AMD.
While wet AMD is less common, it is a much more serious condition than dry AMD. The increasing geriatric population is a major factor for the rising prevalence of wet AMD. Owing to this, the global wet age-related macular degeneration market is predicted to generate revenue of $10.4 billion by 2024, increasing from $6.9 billion in 2018 at a 7.1% CAGR during the forecast period (2019–2024), according to a report by P&S Intelligence.
Focusing on Wet AMD
The disease can start suddenly, and the patient may not feel any pain; however, they might start noticing problems with their eyesight. Blurry and distorted vision is the initial symptom of wet AMD. A blind spot might also form in the center of the field of vision. The blank area can be red, gray, or black. Other than blurriness, things may look distorted or twisted to the person suffering from wet AMD. Some common symptoms of the disease are:
• Reduced brightness or intensity of colors
• Visual distortion, for example, straight lines may seem wavy
• Decreased central vision in one or both eyes
• Haziness in the overall vision
• A well-defined blind spot or blurry spot in the field of vision
• Rapid and abrupt worsening of symptoms
Risk Factors
The disease primarily affects people over the age of 50; however, some other risk factors are also responsible for the onset of this disease.
• White people are more susceptible to the disease.
• The disease is hereditary.
• People who smoke cigarettes are at a higher risk.
• Obesity may increase the chances of contracting AMD.
• A cardiovascular disease may make a person prone to the disease.
Can the Disease be Treated Completely?
The progression of the disease may be slowed by using the available treatments. Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea are the three major medications available for wet AMD. Some other medications include Macugen and Visudyne. Among all these, the demand for Eylea is projected to be the highest in the years to come, owing to its high efficacy and low cost. These treatments can also help in the preservation of the existing vision, and if they are started early, the treatments can also aid in recovering some of the lost vision.
Geographical Scenario: Prevalence of Disease and State of Adoption of Medication
The demand for medication for wet AMD has been the highest in North America up till now, because the prevalence of the disease is high in the region. In addition to this, the appreciable number of drug approvals and the presence of major pharma companies in North America lead to the easy access to medication.
In contrast, the sales of wet AMD drugs have been rather low in APAC; however, the future promises more hope for those suffering from this disease. The reasons for this would majorly be the medical reimbursements that are being offered by government for treatment in the region. The increasing number of people suffering from AMD and surging geriatric population have stirred the governments’ conscience to do something in this regard.
Additionally, the treatment for wet AMD is expensive, which is why the government of countries including Malaysia and South Korea is providing health insurance plans that cover some of the cost. This will help decrease the healthcare burden on people, and more people will be able to manage the disease for living a relatively healthy life.
In conclusion, the increasing aging population is the major factor driving the demand for medication for wet AMD. Even though the disease cannot be treated, people can seek medical attention to reduce its repercussions.
