OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the potential public health impact of Retaane 15 mg (anecortave acetate suspension)in age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Based on clinical trial results and literature, a Markov model was built to compare anecortave acetate to best supportive care (BSC) during the lifetime of ARMD patients. Patients entering the model were 75 years of age with a new diagnosis of wet ARMD in one eye. This model took into account the efficacy of anecortave acetate to slow deterioration and delay visual disability, the probability for a patient to develop the disease in the fellow eye, and mortality. Results of the model were expressed in terms of duration of low vision (with blindness in one eye) and blindness in both eyes. Health consequences of blindness and low vision were estimated for depression and hip fractures as well as for institutionalization. Duration of the model was 25 years and the cycle length was 1 month. The fellow eye could be affected in 30% of the patients at five years. Premature mortality associated with blindness and low vision was estimated. RESULTS: Anecortave acetate decreased the number of prevalent blind cases by 20% and the average time with blindness by 30%. Depression prevalent cases were decreased by 21% and those with hip fracture by 10%. The number of patients who were institutionalized was decreased by 27%. Decrease in life expectancy due to premature mortality associated with blindness and low vision could be estimated at 17% in the BSC group and 15.5% in the anecortave acetate group. Life expectancy was increased by 3 months. CONCLUSION: Anecortave acetate presents important and favorable potential public health outcomes in patients with wet ARMD. According to the model it could reduce the rates of depression, hip fractures and institutionalization, and increase life expectancy compared with BSC.