J Korean Med Assoc.  2024 Aug;67(8):500-505. 10.5124/jkma.2024.67.8.500.

Age-related macular degeneration

• Jee D

• KMID: 2558686
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2024.67.8.500

Abstract

Background
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Recently, AMD prevalence in Korea has increased from 6.6% to 13.9% over the past decade, which may be a threat to the public health of Korean society. This study describes the current status, including risk factors, treatment, and economic burden of AMD in Korea.
Current Concepts
Major AMD risk factors have been consistently reported, including age, hypertension, smoking, and ultraviolet radiation. The primary AMD treatment is intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Anti-VEGF was developed and improved in terms of efficacy and safety. However, AMD treatment’s economic burden is significant. Therefore, several treatment strategies have been introduced, such as monthly, as-needed, and treat-and-extend injection strategies.
Discussion and Conclusion
With the rapid increase in AMD prevalence in Korea, the economic burden of AMD management will be a significant challenge for the Korean healthcare system. Therefore, cost-effectiveness and resource allocation for AMD treatment needs to be investigated.

Keyword

Cost-effectiveness analysis; Macular degeneration; Risk factors; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Republic of Korea; 비용효과 분석; 황반변성; 위험인자; 혈관내피성장인자; 한국