An Ireland-led study found late-stage AMD contributes to the economic burden of the US, Germany and Bulgaria by reducing the wellbeing and productivity of patients and caregivers.  

Writing in JAMA Ophthalmology, researchers led by Dr Nabin Paudel, Retina International, Dublin, said estimated per-annum total costs attributable to late-stage AMD were €449.5 million (NZ$881m) in Bulgaria, €7.6 billion (NZ$14.9bn) in Germany, and €43.2 billion (NZ$84.7bn) in the US. Across all countries, 10% to 13% of the total cost incurred was attributed to direct medical costs. In Germany and Bulgaria, the biggest contributor to the total economic burden was reduced wellbeing (67% and 76%, respectively), whereas in the US, loss of productivity (42%) was the biggest contributor, said researchers. 

“Implementing measures to reduce AMD incidence, delay disease progression, and alleviate humanistic burden may help reduce the economic burden of late-stage AMD,” they said.