Who Does Macular Degeneration Affect?

The primary risk factor for AMD is advancing age, with incidence steadily increasing after 50 years of age with a greater increase in those more than 75 years old. Family history also appears to be associated with AMD, as 10 to 20 percent of patients with AMD have a close relative who has experienced AMD-related vision loss. AMD appears to be more prevalent in females, Caucasians, and in individuals with blue eyes, perhaps because they do not benefit from the protection that darker pigmentation provides to the retina. Other risk factors that may be implicated in the development of AMD include excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV); cigarette smoking; a diet deficient in vitamins A, C, and E; and high blood pressure.