Retinal Disease

Diseases of the retina are among the main causes of vision loss and visual impairment globally.2 while some are hereditary, they can also be related to ageing, diabetes or other diseases.1

Vision loss can have a devastating impact on people affected and their families.3 People living with reduced or no vision may be less able to carry out everyday tasks, relying on family and friends for activities such as shopping, cleaning and dressing.3,4 Their ability to work or have an active social life may also be affected, which may lead to increased social isolation, depression and anxiety disorders.3,5

Diabetic eye diseases, the leading cause of vision loss in people of working-age in people with diabetes, uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can lead to damage of the tiny blood vessels (the capillaries) in the retina, causing eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME).7

DME is a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults, affecting approximately 21 million people globally. As the rate of diabetes continues to grow, more and more people will be affected by DME.8,10

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the part of the retina that provides sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading.9,11

nAMD affects approximately 20 million people and is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60.11,12,13

Retinal vein occlusion Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is one of the most common causes of vision loss due to blood vessel damage in the retina, affecting approximately 28 million adults globally.14

RVO typically affects people over 60, becoming more common with increasing age. 15

There is an urgent need to address the burden of retinal diseases, by improving existing treatments for people living with these conditions and developing new treatments where there are currently no options.1,6

References: 

1. Mayo Clinic. Retinal diseases. [Internet; cited November 2021]. Available from:

2. Flaxman SR, et al. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990-2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2017; 5:1221-34.

3. Park SJ, et al. Extent of Exacerbation of Chronic Health Conditions by Visual Impairment in Terms of Health-Related Quality of Life. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015; 133:1267-1275.

4. Taylor DR, et al. How does age-related macular degeneration affect real-world visual ability and quality of life? A systematic review. BMJ Open. 2016;6:e011504.doi:10.1136/bmj.

5. Garcia GA, et al. Profound vision loss impairs psychological well-being in young and middle-aged individuals. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017;11:417–27.

6. Sacconi R, Corbelli E, Querques L, Bandello F, Querques G. A Review of Current and Future Management of Geographic Atrophy. Ophthalmology and Therapy. 2017; 6:69-77.

7. National Eye Institute. Diabetic Retinopathy. [Internet; cited November 2021]. Available from:

8. Yau JWY, et al. Global Prevalence and Major Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes Care. 2012; 35: 556-64.

9. All About Vision. Macula Lutea. [Internet; cited November 2021]. Available from:

10. Liu E, et al. Diabetic macular oedema: clinical risk factors and emerging genetic influences. Clin Exp Optom. 2017;100:569–76.

11. Bright Focus Foundation. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Facts & Figures. [Internet; cited November 2021]. Available from:

12. Connolly E, et al. Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration associated genetic risk factors and 4-year progression data in the Irish population. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018;102:1691-5.

13. Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2:106-16.

14. Song P, et al. Global epidemiology of retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, incidence, and risk factors. J Glob Health. 2019;9:010427. doi: 10.7189/jogh.09.010427.

15. RNIB. Retinal vessel occlusion. [Internet; cited November 2021]. Available from:

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†The benefit of blocking Ang-2 has not been fully determined. Ang-2=angiopoietin-2; VEGF=vascular endothelial growth factor.

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