Incidence and Prevalence of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in France between 2008 and 2018: The LANDSCAPE Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the French population between 2008 and 2018.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective, longitudinal population study using health care consumption data from the Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS; the French National Health Information Database), which covers approximately 99% of the French population.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified individuals treated for nAMD from the French population 50 years of age and older. Identification criteria were nAMD diagnosis or reimbursement of nAMD treatments (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injection or dynamic phototherapy with verteporfin). Exclusion criteria were high myopia, diagnosis of other retinal diseases, and other treatments for macular diseases (dexamethasone implant, laser therapy, etc.).

METHODS

We calculated incidence and prevalence based on the age-matched general population in France. Adjustment for age and sex was also performed for incidence.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and prevalence of nAMD in the French population between 2008 and 2018.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2018, we identified 342 961 patients with nAMD (67.5% women). Mean ± standard deviation age at nAMD diagnosis or first treatment increased from 78.8 ± 8.1 years in 2008 to 81.2 ± 7.9 years in 2018. In 2018, annual incidence was 0.149% and prevalence was 1.062% for the French population 50 years of age or older. Incidence was stable over the 10-year period. Annual incidence increased with age (0.223%, 0.380%, and 0.603% in those 60 years of age or older, 70 years of age or older, and 80 years of age or older, respectively), with similar trends for prevalence. No major differences were observed among the 14 regions of France for incidence or prevalence. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration incidence in 2018 was not impacted by the availability of primary or ophthalmology care in patients' localities.

CONCLUSIONS

The LANDSCAPE study provides exhaustive nationwide data on incidence and prevalence of nAMD in France over a 10-year period.