This podcast explores two major age-associated neurodegenerative conditions—Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults—and compares their global impact, regional trends, and public health implications. Though AD is highly visible in media and policy, AMD actually affects more people worldwide and remains comparatively under-recognised.
Global Prevalence & Projections
Recent global analyses show AD and other dementias affected about 57.4 million people in 2019, projected to rise to 152.8 million by 2050 (≈2.7-fold increase). In comparison, AMD already affects ~200 million people as of 2020, expected to reach 288 million by 2040. Thus, the absolute burden of AMD—especially given its vision-threatening nature—outstrips that of AD, yet awareness and resources remain far lower.
Regional Breakdowns
· In the US, AD affects about 7.2 million adults 65+ (≈11%), and among those 85+, prevalence may reach one-third. AMD affects ~18.3 million adults 40+ with early AMD and 1.5 million with late disease; among 80+, late AMD may reach ≈9%.
· In Canada, dementia affects nearly 600,000 people, projected to double by 2050. AMD is the top cause of vision loss in 55+, affecting >2.5 million and ≈90% of new blindness cases each year.
· In Europe, AMD affects 67 million (aged 60+), with 25.3% having early/intermediate and 2.4% late disease. Projections: 69 million by 2040 and 77 million by 2050 (including 11.7 million late AMD).
· The greatest AMD growth is expected in Asia: by 2040 ≈113 million cases (~40% global total). Africa and Latin America/Caribbean each may reach ~39 million, North America ~25 million.
Key Insights & Discussion
While AD’s relative growth rate may be higher, the absolute global burden of AMD already exceeds it—yet AMD receives far less attention in health policy, funding, and prevention. AMD also has modifiable risk factors (diet, lifestyle, screening, nutrition) unlike AD, making early detection and awareness vital. Both diseases threaten independence and quality of life, but AMD’s impact is less recognised.
Implications
· Screening, awareness, and preventive strategies for AMD should be elevated to a public health priority like AD.
· Policy makers should integrate vision-health programs into aging strategies, given AMD’s burden and lifestyle links.
· Researchers and clinicians should act on the fact that AMD progression can be slowed and early detection matters.
· Millions may face avoidable vision loss due to under-diagnosis and under-management of AMD.
Conclusion
Vision health deserves the same global urgency as cognitive health. AMD’s prevalence, growth, and prevention potential call for more investment, awareness, and integration into aging and chronic-disease frameworks. For older adults, addressing modifiable risks can protect eyesight—and quality of life—just as efforts to preserve brain function do.
“While Alzheimer’s receives broad recognition, AMD affects far more individuals worldwide and yet remains under-recognised. Protecting vision through early awareness, nutrition, and lifestyle offers a path to a brighter future.”

This podcast explores an important but often overlooked relationship: the connection between diabetes and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Most people know diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, but fewer realize that it also increases the risk of AMD — a leading cause of vision loss after age 60. As diabetes becomes more common globally, understanding its impact on macular health is essential.

🔍 How Diabetes Raises AMD Risk

Research shows that diabetes significantly elevates AMD risk, especially its advanced, vision-threatening forms. The danger grows with poor blood-sugar control and longer disease duration. Even people newly diagnosed with diabetes show higher odds of developing wet AMD, the aggressive form marked by abnormal vessel growth under the retina.

In large studies, diabetes lasting over five years raised the risk of dry AMD by 29 percent and wet AMD by 50 percent. The risk is even higher for younger individuals diagnosed before 65, those using insulin, or those with poor glycemic control. One UK Biobank study found AMD risk 2.7 times higher for type 2 diabetes diagnosed before 45 and over 4 times higher for type 1.

🧬 Shared Biological Pathways

Diabetes and AMD are connected through overlapping biological mechanisms:

• Inflammation: Elevated glucose triggers cytokines that damage retinal cells and vessels.
• Oxidative stress: The retina’s high oxygen use makes it vulnerable to free-radical damage, which diabetes worsens.
• Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): Chronic high sugar causes AGEs to accumulate, provoking inflammation and interfering with drusen clearance — a hallmark of AMD.
• VEGF overactivation: Both diabetic retinopathy and wet AMD involve excess VEGF, causing fragile, leaky new blood vessels. Anti-VEGF drugs are used to treat both diseases.
• Blood-retinal barrier damage: Diabetes weakens this protective barrier, increasing fluid leakage similar to that seen in AMD.
• Waste buildup: High glucose and oxidative stress slow the retina’s ability to clear debris, accelerating degeneration.

🩺 Screening and Prevention

The podcast stresses that people with diabetes should be screened for both diabetic retinopathy and AMD, since early AMD often progresses silently. Maintaining good metabolic control and lifestyle habits can make a major difference. Balanced blood sugar, healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, and avoiding smoking all help preserve vision.

A Mediterranean-style diet rich in leafy greens, fruits, nuts, and fish offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection for the retina and the heart alike. Regular physical activity and weight management also support circulation and macular health.

Emerging evidence suggests that some diabetes medications may help lower AMD risk. Studies link SGLT2 inhibitorswith a 30–40 percent lower AMD risk, while metformin use correlates with reduced odds of AMD — likely through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

🌍 Key Takeaways and Future Directions

This podcast concludes that diabetes and AMD are closely intertwined, not coincidental. The duration of diabetes, insulin dependence, and early onset all heighten AMD susceptibility. Their shared pathways — inflammation, oxidative stress, AGEs, and VEGF activity — mean protecting metabolic health also helps protect vision.

Future research will explore how early-onset diabetes accelerates AMD via metabolic “memory” and whether drugs like metformin could play a preventive role. Integrated care combining metabolic management, nutrition, and eye screening may provide the most effective path forward.

💡 Final Message

For anyone living with diabetes, the message is clear: your metabolic health and your vision are deeply connected. Regular eye exams, steady glucose control, and antioxidant-rich nutrition can reduce the risk of AMD and safeguard your sight for years to come.

Healthy metabolism, healthy eyes — every choice today helps you see tomorrow more clearly.