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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Leading Cause of Blindness in Older People
Increasing Alarmingly
May 11, 2004 - Nearly all retina specialists are
greatly alarmed by the increasing number of cases of wet age-related
macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss and
blindness in people over the age of 50, and believe the disease will
have a serious impact on the public, according to survey results
released today. Despite these concerns, eye experts also conveyed new
hope that current research could lead to valuable new treatments. The
survey was conducted by Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.,
in consultation with Lighthouse International, a leading resource on
vision impairment and rehabilitation.
Respondents rank wet AMD, a condition that destroys
central vision and the ability to see detail, among the top eye disease
concerns, and believe it seriously impacts patients quality of life,
including the ability to drive, live independently and perform in daily
activities. Emotional distress and clinical depression were consequences
of great concern, as was the diseases potential to increase direct and
indirect costs within the healthcare system and society.
Currently, 15 million people in the United States
suffer from some form of AMD, with more than 1.6 million experiencing
the active blood vessel growth and blood vessel leakage associated with
wet AMD. There are 200,000 new cases of wet AMD each year and this
number is expected to increase significantly as the baby boomer
generation ages and overall life expectancy increases. Experts estimate
that by 2030, 6.3 million people will have vision loss caused by wet
AMD, and 500,000 people will lose their sight annually from the disease.
Currently, there is an FDA approved treatment for only one of the three
subtypes of wet AMD, leaving the majority of wet AMD patients without an
approved treatment option.
As baby boomers age and more people are living
into their 80s and 90s, we will see more incidences of vision impairment
caused by wet AMD, said Barbara Silverstone, DSW, President and CEO,
Lighthouse International. Wet AMD has serious emotional consequences
because it affects your ability to live independently and manage daily
functions such as driving, shopping or reading. These are aspects of
life that no one should have to give up at any age, especially if there
are treatment and rehabilitation options that can help people enjoy a
better quality of life as they age.
Survey Findings
The survey, which explored attitudes of retina specialists toward wet
AMD and its clinical and social consequences, was conducted by HCD
Research in February 2004. A total of 100 questionnaires were completed
online.
Key findings of the survey include:
An overwhelming majority 83 percent of retina specialists surveyed
say they are greatly alarmed by the increasing number of cases of wet
AMD.
More than 95 percent agree that wet AMD represents a public health
epidemic, and we must change the current paradigm of care by
establishing new approaches to the prevention and treatment of the
disease.
Nearly all retina specialists surveyed cite wet AMD as having a strong
emotional effect on patients and their families.
More than 85 percent agree that wet AMD patients are eager for new
treatment options.
Nearly all respondents agree that current treatment options for the
majority of wet AMD patients are limited and more than 85 percent were
dissatisfied with current options.
Seventy-one percent agree that better treatment outcomes could be
achieved if patients were diagnosed earlier. Nearly half say they do not
see referred patients as soon as they would like because patients do not
understand the urgency.
Almost 90 percent said vision exams for those older than 65 should
include AMD screening.
The research results underscore why we must
continue to find new ways to improve patient outcomes and protect or
sustain patient quality of life in later years, said William F. Mieler,
M.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and
Visual Science, University of Chicago, and president of the Macula
Society. Everyone including physicians, health authorities and the
aging public - needs to better understand that wet AMD is putting our
vision at risk. We need to collectively take steps to minimize vision
loss and prolong the independent function of older adults that is being
threatened by wet AMD.
The study showed that retina specialists are
encouraged by research developments and believe these developments will
have a significant impact on patient management. New wet AMD treatment
options may soon become available to slow and/or stabilize vision loss.
These therapies show potential for treating all three subtypes of wet
AMD, attacking the underlying cause and delaying progression to severe
vision loss caused by the disease.
We are really at the threshold of an encouraging
new era in the pharmacological treatment of macula disease, said Dr.
Mieler. We are making progress and this necessitates retina specialists
keeping up with the science and its application, education of referring
physicians, and an increased awareness among patients, caregivers and
the general public about AMD and its risk factors and symptoms.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
AMD is classified into two general forms: non-neovascular, referred to
as dry AMD, and neovascular or wet AMD. The wet form is more severe and
progresses more rapidly than the dry type.
Wet AMD is an eye disease in which abnormal blood
vessels proliferate and leak blood and fluid into the retina, which
destroys central vision by damaging the macula, the small central
portion of the retina. Although it accounts for only about 10-15 percent
of all macular degeneration cases, wet AMD is responsible for 90 percent
of blindness caused by the disease. There are three subtypes of wet AMD:
predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult. Current treatments
are only FDA approved for the predominantly classic subtype of wet AMD.
About Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision
impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in
vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy,
Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or
partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Founded in
1905 and headquartered in New York, Lighthouse International is a
not-for-profit organization, and depends on the support and generosity
of individuals, foundations and corporations.
About Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that
specializes in the development and commercialization of novel
therapeutics to treat diseases of the eye. Eyetech's initial focus is on
diseases affecting the back of the eye, particularly the retina.
About Pfizer Inc.
Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading
prescription medicines for humans and animals in many of the world's
best-known consumer brands. For more information about Pfizer, please
see www.pfizer.com.
About HCD Research (HCD)
HCD Research (HCD) is a division of Health Care Direct, Inc. HCD
Research is a marketing research and medical information company
headquartered in Flemington, NJ. Founded in 1991, as a traditional
marketing research and database marketing firm, the company expanded its
services in 1996, to offer Internet marketing research and other
web-based applications. HCD has since conducted hundreds of online
surveys, eliciting responses from thousands of physicians, allied health
care professionals and patients.
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