BANGKOK, THAILAND – A leading retinal specialist warned on World Sight Day that neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are increasingly common and pose a serious, often overlooked risk of central vision loss for older adults and people with diabetes.
Growing burden among an ageing and diabetic population
Thailand’s ageing population and rising diabetes rates are driving a surge in retinal disease. A study of more than 10,788 participants estimated roughly 25,500 cases of neovascular AMD among people aged 50 and over, with an overall AMD prevalence of 3.0 percent and wet AMD accounting for 74.1 percent of late-stage cases. Separately, DME is estimated to affect about 750,000 people nationwide, based on a calculated 34.78 percent of diabetic retinopathy patients among roughly 6.4 million people with diabetes.
Why nAMD and DME are so dangerous
DME arises when damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the central area responsible for sharp vision. nAMD involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina, which can cause rapid and severe central vision loss if untreated. Both conditions are leading causes of central vision impairment among older adults and people with diabetes.
Symptoms patients should not ignore
Dr. Thanapong Somkijrungroj, a retinal specialist at Chulalongkorn Hospital, advised patients to watch for four main warning signs: distorted vision (straight lines appearing wavy), dark spots obscuring central vision, reduced visual clarity requiring more light or causing difficulty with color perception, and sudden worsening of sight. He warned that symptoms are sometimes dismissed as normal ageing, which can delay diagnosis and increase the risk of permanent vision loss.
Advances in diagnosis: OCT, OCT-A and AI
New diagnostic tools — optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography and AI-assisted retinal imaging — enable earlier and more precise detection of retinal disease. These technologies help clinicians identify pathology sooner and allow patients to better understand their condition, improving the chances of timely intervention.
Treatment innovations reduce injection burden
Standard care for both DME and nAMD remains intravitreal anti-VEGF injections to reduce macular swelling and control neovascular activity. Historically, patients required injections every four to eight weeks, imposing a heavy burden of frequent hospital visits. Recent therapeutic advances, however, have extended effective treatment intervals substantially. Clinical data cited by Dr. Thanapong indicate that treatment intervals can be lengthened by nearly 50 percent for some patients, with many maintaining stable vision on injections every four to five months. Current figures suggest about 47 percent of DME patients and 53 percent of nAMD patients may extend intervals to 20 weeks or longer.
Screening and follow-up: simple, essential measures
Early detection remains the best defence against preventable blindness. Dr. Thanapong recommends annual comprehensive eye examinations for everyone over 50 and for all people with diabetes, even in the absence of symptoms. Diabetics carry the highest risk of diabetic retinopathy and DME and should receive detailed retinal checks at least once a year.
Industry and public outreach
Chatchaya Chatratanarak, head of Focus Brand, Pharmacy at Bayer Thai, emphasised the company’s support for World Sight Day and efforts to raise awareness about retinal disease. She called extended-interval treatments a meaningful advance in retinal care and urged individuals to prioritise routine eye checks and consult specialists when needed to preserve independence and quality of life.
What readers should take away
nAMD and DME are common, preventable causes of central vision loss in Thailand’s ageing and diabetic populations. While newer diagnostic tools and longer-lasting treatments are reducing the burden of care and the frequency of injections, timely screening and prompt treatment remain critical to avoid irreversible sight loss. Are you or your loved ones due for an eye exam?