Neovascular age-related macular degeneration on three nationwide survey and register data in Finland during 2000–2017

Purpose: To evaluate time trends in the incidence and prevalence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and its treatments, associated factors, and effects on vision in Finland during 2000–2017. Methods: We used three nationwide health examination surveys representing the Finnish population aged 30 years or older. All three surveys were linked to the national care register covering nAMD diagnoses and intravitreal injections between 2000 and 2017. All three surveys included a health examination in which distance and near visual acuity (VA) were measured, as well as self-reported and register-based information on socio-demographic status and lifestyle, health care use, co-morbidities, and quality of life. The data included two cross-sectional time points in 2011 and 2017 and two 11 year longitudinal follow-ups during 2000–2011 and 2006–2017. Results: The incidence and prevalence of nAMD were two times higher in women than in men. The annual prevalence of nAMD increased from 0.51% to 0.70% and from 0.22% to 0.46% in treated nAMD between 2011 and 2017. Treated nAMD patients had an average of 4 intravitreal injections per treatment year. nAMD patients showed significantly poorer distance and near VA than persons without any AMD in 2011 and 2017 (p < 0.001). However, near VA was significantly better in 2017 than in 2011 among nAMD patients (p = 0.036). The duration of nAMD showed weak negative correlation with distance and near VA. After adjusting for age and sex, nAMD patients showed significantly higher univariable odds ratios for lower distance VA, low consumption of vegetables, living in central Finland, a higher number of hospitalisations per year, and older age compared with persons without any AMD. Conclusion: Since nAMD is an increasing burden for public health with gender discrepancy and a detrimental impact on vision, we should better find patients who have a high risk of developing nAMD and try to optimise their preventive intervention. Once nAMD is developed, we should understand treatment and follow-up demands at the personalised level. The nationwide register data help us in those challenges.