AMD Awareness Month: Moving Awareness into Action

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults in the United States. As the population ages and grows more diverse, optometrists play a critical role in early detection, patient education, and long-term management—especially for patients who may be less aware of chronic eye disease or less likely to seek regular eye care.

AMD Awareness Month in February provides a timely opportunity to refocus attention on early identification, consistent monitoring, and clear patient communication—key elements in slowing disease progression and preserving functional vision.

Prevalence and Relevance to Optometric Practice

An estimated 20 million U.S. adults aged 40 and older have some form of AMD, including approximately 1.5 million with vision-threatening late-stage disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).¹ Prevalence increases sharply with age, making careful macular evaluation a routine and essential component of comprehensive eye care.

Beyond vision loss, AMD is associated with reduced independence, increased fall risk, and diminished quality of life—underscoring the importance of proactive, longitudinal management in optometric practice.¹

AMD in Hispanic/Latino Patients: Awareness and Care Gaps

Population-based research, including the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), shows that approximately 8–10% of Hispanic/Latino adults exhibit early AMD changes, with prevalence increasing with age.² However, multiple studies suggest that awareness and engagement with eye care remain significant challenges in this population.

LALES data indicate that more than 60% of eye disease among Latino adults was previously undiagnosed, meaning many individuals were unaware of existing conditions identified only through examination.² Additional findings show low utilization of comprehensive eye care, with fewer than 40% reporting an eye care visit in the past year and fewer than 20% reporting a dilated exam, despite age-related risk for chronic eye disease.³

Broader public health research confirms common barriers—including cost concerns, limited perceived need, and lack of awareness about eye disease—which may contribute to delayed diagnosis and reduced adherence to follow-up recommendations for chronic conditions such as AMD.⁴ Together, these findings highlight the importance of consistent screening and clear patient communication to support earlier detection and sustained care.

Practice Considerations for Optometrists

  • Prioritize early detection: Careful macular evaluation and appropriate use of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are essential, even in asymptomatic patients.
  • Assess key risk factors: Age, family history, smoking, and cardiovascular disease remain central to AMD risk and progression.⁵
  • Use evidence-based management: Recommend Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) supplementation when clinically indicated and counsel patients on realistic expectations.
  • Respond promptly to progression: Suspected neovascular changes warrant timely referral for retinal co-management.
  • Reinforce follow-up and education: Clear explanations and repeated messaging improve adherence in chronic, progressive disease.

Moving Awareness into Action

AMD Awareness Month is a reminder that early diagnosis and evidence-based management, while essential, are not enough on their own. Reducing preventable vision loss—particularly among Hispanic/Latino patients—also requires addressing gaps in awareness, access, and follow-through that contribute to delayed detection and progression.

By pairing clinical care with intentional patient education, proactive screening, and culturally responsive communication, optometrists can strengthen engagement before, during, and after the exam. During AMD Awareness Month and beyond, integrating these strategies into everyday practice offers a meaningful opportunity to support earlier identification, reinforce adherence, advance eye-health equity, and preserve central vision.

References

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AMD Prevalence Estimates.
https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health-data/prevalence-estimates/amd-prevalence.html

² National Eye Institute. Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and AMD Among Hispanic/Latino Adults (LALES).
https://www.nei.nih.gov/research-and-training/research-news/statement-prevalence-diabetic-retinopathy-and-age-related-macular-degeneration-among-hispaniclatino

³ Varma R, et al. Self-reported use of eye care among Latinos: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.
JAMA Ophthalmology.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/420901

⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Barriers to Eye Care Use.
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/52053

⁵ National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration