Age related macular degeneration

Risk factors

Although it is not clear what causes AMD, a number of factors that may put a person at greater risk for developing AMD have been identified:

• Age: AMD rarely affects those under age 50 and studies show that people over age 60 are at greater risk than other age groups.
• Gender: Females appear to have higher risk than males.
• Smoking: Studies have found that current and former smokers have up to twice the risk of developing AMD as non-smokers.
• Obesity: Studies have suggested a link between obesity and the progression of early- and intermediate-stage AMD to advanced AMD.
• Genetics: The increased risk of AMD related to family history demonstrates that genetics play a significant role in development of the disease. Individuals with a single relative with AMD are twice as likely to develop the disease, while those with two or more relatives are nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed. The risk is even higher if the affected family members were diagnosed before the age of 65.

Prevention and treatment

Although there is no known cure for either form of AMD, therapies are available that can slow the progression of the disease. Early diagnosis is also an important part of controlling disease progression. People at risk for AMD, including those over the age of 50 and those with a family history of AMD, should have their eyes examined regularly, learn to recognize the signs of AMD, and take steps to reduce their risk for developing AMD.

More information

You can find out more information about AMD by talking with your doctor and visiting these Web sites:

• The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Foundation Fighting Blindness
• Help for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• JAMA patient page
• Macular Degeneration International
• MedlinePlus on AMD
• National Eye Institute
• Prevent Blindness America

Scientific references

1. Maller J, George S, Purcell S, et al (2006). Common variation in three genes, including a noncoding variant in CFH, strongly influences risk of age-related macular degeneration.Nature Genetics Sep;38(9):1055-9. Epub 2006 Aug 27.

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.