The exact cause ofmacular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD (age-related macular degeneration), is not known—a frustrating fact for patients and doctors alike, as the condition is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americansaged 50 and older.That said, there are known risk factors for AMD—some of which you can have an influence on, like smoking, obesity, and sun exposure, and others that you cannot, such as age and genetics.2:32Watch Now: Common Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
The exact cause ofmacular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD (age-related macular degeneration), is not known—a frustrating fact for patients and doctors alike, as the condition is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americansaged 50 and older.
That said, there are known risk factors for AMD—some of which you can have an influence on, like smoking, obesity, and sun exposure, and others that you cannot, such as age and genetics.
2:32Watch Now: Common Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
2:32
Watch Now: Common Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
Common Risk FactorsAdvancing AgeAge is the most significant risk factor for macular degeneration. About 1% of white adults ages 60 to 69 have the condition, but that jumps to 14% in those age 80 and older.GenderStudies have shown that you have a slightly higher risk of developing macular degeneration if you are a woman.There seems to be a link between the onset of menopause and macular degeneration. In fact, there is research investigating the role of estrogen inmacular degeneration treatment.Also, because women tend to live longer, they are at higher risk of experiencing severe vision loss when diagnosed with AMD than men with the condition, as it progresses with time.© Verywell, 2018
Common Risk Factors
Advancing Age
Age is the most significant risk factor for macular degeneration. About 1% of white adults ages 60 to 69 have the condition, but that jumps to 14% in those age 80 and older.
Gender
Studies have shown that you have a slightly higher risk of developing macular degeneration if you are a woman.
There seems to be a link between the onset of menopause and macular degeneration. In fact, there is research investigating the role of estrogen inmacular degeneration treatment.
Also, because women tend to live longer, they are at higher risk of experiencing severe vision loss when diagnosed with AMD than men with the condition, as it progresses with time.
© Verywell, 2018
Genetics
Macular degeneration is not reliably passed down, buthereditary factorscan play a role.
Family History
Having a family history of age-related macular degeneration has been shown to increase your risk.If you have family members with macular degeneration, you should pay particular attention to other risk factors and be sure to go for regular vision checks.
Race
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in aging white Americans.The disease is relatively rare among people of other races, but it can occur.
Eye Color
Although it’s not known exactly what causes the disease, the amount of pigment present in the tissue of the eye may play a role. People who have light eye color appear to be at greater risk of macular degeneration than people who have darker eyes.
Stargardt’s Disease
Stargardt’s disease is the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration, affecting 1 in 10,000 children in the United States.
In Stargardt’s disease, there is a genetic defect that causes thephotoreceptorsof the eye to die. Vision loss begins slowly and then rapidly progresses, affecting central vision so severely that it causes an affected person to become legally blind while preserving peripheral vision.
Stargardt’s disease can be diagnosed as early as 6 years of age and is usually noticeable before age 20. It is possible to have the disease and not know it until you are almost 40.
The condition affects males and females equally.
Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy and Best Disease
The second most common form of juvenile macular degeneration is Vitelliform macular dystrophy, also referred to as Best disease when it begins before age 6.
Health ConditionsHigh Blood Pressure and Heart DiseaseHypertension and other cardiovascular diseases and conditions increase the likelihood of developing macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is associated with substantial vascular changes in the eye, and it is believed that the factors that contribute toheart disease and hypertensionmay also contribute to macular degeneration.ObesityBeing overweight may be associated with developing age-related macular degeneration. Severe forms of the condition, such as geographic atrophy in macular degeneration and neovascular or exudative macular degeneration can be more prevalent, although the reason why is not concrete.Macular Degeneration Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Health Conditions
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases and conditions increase the likelihood of developing macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is associated with substantial vascular changes in the eye, and it is believed that the factors that contribute toheart disease and hypertensionmay also contribute to macular degeneration.
Obesity
Being overweight may be associated with developing age-related macular degeneration. Severe forms of the condition, such as geographic atrophy in macular degeneration and neovascular or exudative macular degeneration can be more prevalent, although the reason why is not concrete.
Macular Degeneration Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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LifestyleSome lifestyle factors have been associated with the development of macular degeneration:SmokingResearch shows thatsmoking increases the risk of macular degeneration. The exact reason for this is not clear, but smoking does increase the risk of vascular disease in general, and blood vessel abnormalities play a major part of the disease process in macular degeneration.Sun ExposureSpending too much time in the sun without ultraviolet-protective sunglasses appears to speed the development of macular degeneration.Researchers have discovered that people with histories of prolonged, unprotected exposure to sunlight had more cases of severe macular degeneration than those without such exposure.Diet/Nutrient DeficiencyAntioxidants may protect your cells from oxidative damage, which is partially responsible for many of the effects of aging,including macular degeneration. If you have low levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, you might have a higher risk of developing vision loss related to macular degeneration.Studies also show that some types of high-fat diets may be associated with macular degeneration.Wet Macular Degeneration Surgery: How This Can Help to Save SightFrequently Asked QuestionsMacular degeneration is fairly common, affecting 11 million Americans.Symptoms of AMD include blurred vision, difficulty recognizing people, straight lines appearing as wavy, and a blind spot in the center of your vision.How Macular Degeneration is Diagnosed
Lifestyle
Some lifestyle factors have been associated with the development of macular degeneration:
Smoking
Research shows thatsmoking increases the risk of macular degeneration. The exact reason for this is not clear, but smoking does increase the risk of vascular disease in general, and blood vessel abnormalities play a major part of the disease process in macular degeneration.
Sun Exposure
Spending too much time in the sun without ultraviolet-protective sunglasses appears to speed the development of macular degeneration.
Researchers have discovered that people with histories of prolonged, unprotected exposure to sunlight had more cases of severe macular degeneration than those without such exposure.
Diet/Nutrient Deficiency
Antioxidants may protect your cells from oxidative damage, which is partially responsible for many of the effects of aging,including macular degeneration. If you have low levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, you might have a higher risk of developing vision loss related to macular degeneration.
Studies also show that some types of high-fat diets may be associated with macular degeneration.
Wet Macular Degeneration Surgery: How This Can Help to Save Sight
Frequently Asked QuestionsMacular degeneration is fairly common, affecting 11 million Americans.Symptoms of AMD include blurred vision, difficulty recognizing people, straight lines appearing as wavy, and a blind spot in the center of your vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Macular degeneration is fairly common, affecting 11 million Americans.
Symptoms of AMD include blurred vision, difficulty recognizing people, straight lines appearing as wavy, and a blind spot in the center of your vision.
How Macular Degeneration is Diagnosed
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Sergejeva O, Botov R, Liutkevičienė R, Kriaučiūnienė L.Genetic factors associated with the development of age-related macular degeneration. Medicina (Kaunas). 2016;52(2):79-88. doi:10.1016/j.medici.2016.02.004
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Genetics Home Reference - NIH. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Stargardt macular degeneration.
Peeters A, Magliano DJ, Stevens J, Duncan BB, Klein R, Wong TY.Changes in abdominal obesity and age-related macular degeneration: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(11):1554-60. doi:10.1001/archopht.126.11.1554
Sui GY, Liu GC, Liu GY, et al.Is sunlight exposure a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2013;97(4):389-94. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302281
Parekh N, Voland RP, Moeller SM, et al.Association between dietary fat intake and age-related macular degeneration in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): an ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(11):1483-93. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.130
MedlinePlus.Age-related macular degeneration.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration.
National Eye Institute.Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/amd
Woo SJ, Ahn J, Morrison MA, et al.Analysis of Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors and Their Interactions in Korean Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.PLoS One. 2015 Jul 14;10(7):e0132771. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132771. eCollection
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