Introduction:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of central vision loss, with an increasing prevalence related to a growing economic burden. Understanding the epidemiological changes of AMD is essential for targeting the resource allocation of medicine, interventions, and the economy.

Material and methods:
The global prevalence and years lived with disability of AMD by sociodemographic index (SDI), sex, and age groups from 1990 to 2019 based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 were retrieved and utilized to estimate epidemiological changes.

Results:
The global AMD population increased significantly from 3581.33 thousand in 1990 to 7792.53 thousand in 2019, and the years lived with disability significantly increased from 296.77 thousand years to 564.06 thousand years. The AMD burden was higher among females (57.77% to 59.20%), the elderly (65–74 years old), and individuals in high-middle and middle SDI regions from 1990 to 2019. The most significant increase in global burden occurred between 2014 and 2019. The age-standardized rate was predicted to remain stable, but the AMD case number was predicted to increase over the next 20 years. Tobacco use was the major diminishing risk factor.

Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated the increasing AMD burden in the past 30 years and predicted the increasing change of AMD prevalence in the next 20 years in the context of the aging global population. Disease burdens, including case number and age-standardized rate, were higher among females, the elderly, and individuals in high-middle and middle SDI regions. The present findings will contribute to healthcare investment and policymaking.