5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major public health issue, with an estimated 288 million cases expected globally by 2040.

• 2

  Socioeconomic disparities significantly affect eye care utilization among patients with vision-threatening AMD, particularly those with lower income.

• 3

  Patients earning below $50,000 annually show markedly lower rates of eye examinations and diagnostic imaging compared to higher-income groups.

• 4

  Barriers to care for low-income AMD patients include high treatment costs, limited access to specialists, and transportation challenges.

• 5

  Implementing patient assistance programs and telemedicine can improve access to care and health outcomes for underserved VT-AMD patients.