Diagnosed prevalent cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the seven major markets—U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K., and Japan—combined is expected to increase from 33.66 million cases in 2021 to 40.32 million in 2031, at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 1.98 percent, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. AMD is a progressive eye condition that is characterized by the gradual deterioration of the macula, which is the area of the retina responsible for central vision.

Of the seven major markets, the diagnosed prevalent cases of AMD in France are expected to increase at an AGR of 2.89 percent between 2021 and 2031, followed by Spain (2.85 percent), and the UK (2.16 percent).

GlobalData’s latest report, “Age-Related Macular Degeneration Epidemiology Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031”, notes that the major drivers for the spike in the diagnosed prevalent cases of AMD in France is attributable to advancing age, cigarette smoking, diabetes, family history, and cataract surgery.

Suneedh Manthri, project manager of epidemiology at GlobalData, commented, “Individuals with AMD are more likely to live with a variety of ocular conditions such as cataracts, pseudophakia, glaucoma, and vitreous degeneration, as well as systemic conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and depression.”