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Article The epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration in the Indian subcontinent. 2009
Woo JH, Sanjay S, Au Eong KG. · Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore. · Acta Ophthalmol. · Pubmed #19016663 No free full text.
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.
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