ABSTRACT

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of registerable

blindness in the developed world and its prevalence is likely to increase as a

result of increased longevity.1 AMD is currently estimated to affect 12.7 million

people in Europe and the USA.2,3 Furthermore, the incidence of AMD within the

population appears to be increasing and there appears to be a tendency for a

decrease in the age of onset.4