Rising global numbers of age-related macular degeneration projected through 2040

Health · Published 2 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A meta-analysis of 39 population-based studies involving 129,664 individuals found that the global prevalence of any age-related macular degeneration is approximately 8.69%. Researchers also projected that the number of people affected by the condition will grow from 196 million in 2020 to 288 million by 2040.

By synthesizing data from various studies, researchers identified significant differences in disease prevalence across ethnicities and regions, noting higher rates in Europeans compared to Asians and Africans. However, these findings are based on a systematic review of studies published before May 2013, which may not reflect the most recent global trends.

Why it matters: The global burden of age-related macular degeneration is expected to rise significantly over the next two decades.

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