What eye condition is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 50 in developed countries?

The eye condition that is a leading cause of blindness in adults over 50 in developed countries is age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, damages the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. It can make reading, recognizing faces, and driving difficult. Peripheral vision is often preserved, so AMD does not usually cause complete blindness, but it can produce severe central vision loss.

AMD has two broad forms. Dry AMD, the more common type, involves thinning and deterioration of macular tissue and usually progresses gradually. Wet AMD develops when fragile abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood; it can cause faster damage. Anti-VEGF injections have become an important treatment for many wet-AMD patients.

The condition is often confused with cataracts or glaucoma. Cataracts cloud the eye's lens, while glaucoma primarily damages the optic nerve. Age, family history, and smoking influence AMD risk, and regular dilated eye examinations can help detect it before noticeable vision loss.