[Age related macular degeneration. A widespread disease]

Age-related macular degeneration, AMD, is the commonest cause of legal blindness in the industrialised world. Epidemiological data suggest that in Denmark more than 80,000 persons suffer impaired vision in at least one eye, because of AMD. More than 4000 are legally blind owing to this disease. AMD has two major phenotypes: wet and dry. Most severe visual losses are caused by wet AMD, where new blood vessels form under the macula. A new treatment of this condition is now available. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin has been investigated in a double-blind, randomised clinical trial with more than 600 patients. This study has been scrutinised by a Cochrane review, which has recommended criteria for the treatment. For eyes meeting these inclusion criteria, photodynamic therapy can reduce the occurrence of moderate and severe visual loss over a two-year period by more than 60%. It is estimated that around 1000 eyes in Denmark will meet the inclusion criteria for photodynamic therapy.