Trends in the global disease burden of age-related macular degeneration from 1990 to 2021

AimTo investigate the global disease burden of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Diseases 2021 database.MethodsWe recorded disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and rates and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in AMD stratified by sex, age, sociodemographic index (SDI), geographic region, country, and risk factor.ResultsGlobally, the number of AMD-associated DALYs increased from 302,902 in 1990 to 578,020 in 2021, while the age-standardized rate (ASR) of DALYs decreased by 19.089% from 1990 to 2021, with an EAPC of -0.942 (95% CI, -1.010-0.873). During this period, males had fewer DALYs and lower ASRs than did females, and the ASR decreased with decreasing age. In 2021, the low-SDI region had the highest ASR (10.082 per 100,000 individuals) and the slowest ASR decrease (EAPC: -0.652, 95% CI, -0.708--0.595). East Asia had the most DALYs (154,300.168), and Western Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASR (14.735 per 100,000 individuals). From 1990 to 2021, all 21 regions experienced increased DALYs, while most regions, except for Central Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, experienced decreases in the ASR. China had the most DALYs (153,219.726) in 2021. The proportion of DALYs attributable to smoking in patients with AMD decreased globally and across all SDI regions from 1990 to 2021.ConclusionOver the past 32 years, AMD has remained a significant health concern, particularly affecting females, older individuals, and individuals living in lower-SDI regions, with a global decline in smoking-related AMD DALYs.