Risk Factors Beyond Your Control:

    1.    Age 
           Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss  over 50. People with AMD are usually in their 60s and 70s. 1 in 3 over 80 have it.
    2.    Race
           AMD mainly affects people with fair skin and light eyes. Caucasians are at high risk. Africans and people with dark skin and dark eyes are not at risk for this disease, while Hispanics have a medium to low risk.
    3.    Gender
           Being female puts you in a higher risk group. Over 75, there are twice as many women as men with AMD.
    4.    Heredity & Genetics
           Genetic factors play a part in your chances of developing macular degeneration, and new gene research is exploring these. Any family history of macular degeneration may increase the tendency toward AMD by 50%.

Risk Factors You can Control or Influence:

    1.    Smoking
           Smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration by 2 to 4 times. Some studies put it as high as 6 or 7 times.
    2.    Diet
           A diet high in fats and trans-fats doubles your risk. A healthy diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables and other foods for your eyes can lower your chances of AMD.
    3.    Vitamin Intake
           Cell damage by ‘free radicals’ is an underlying cause of macular degeneration, so you need vital antioxidants to protect your eyes and health. Low levels of nutrients (antioxidants – especially lutein and zeaxanthin – vitamins, minerals) increase your susceptibility to this disease. Even with a good diet we often need supplements for an extra boost. In today’s world, with current food production methods and environmental pollution, it is recommended everyone consider some form of supplementation – unless you live in a pristine place and grow organic food.
    4.    Body Weight/Obesity
           Increased body mass index, and particularly obesity in the belly area, increase the risk of AMD and the risk of contracting its more severe forms. Attention to diet is important, again, and also to exercise. Some studies have shown regular exercise, for instance running, has decreased incidence of AMD.
    5.    Hypertension
           High blood pressure affects all blood vessels, including of course those in the eyes. Hypertension is a risk factor which increases the chance or cause of macular degeneration by around x 2.
           Cardiovascular disease (like AMD, its risk increases with lipid levels and inflammation) and diabetes, as well as hypertension, affect blood circulation to the eyes and may contribute to degeneration.
    6.    Sun Exposure
           Excess or prolonged exposure to sun and bright light, without protecting your eyes, is one of the risk factors for macular degeneration.
    7.    Alcohol
           This has a lesser effect, but very high consumption of alcohol over time reduces antioxidants in the body, and can therefore contribute to the cause of macular degeneration.

Risk factors don’t make it inevitable that you will develop macular degeneration. On the other hand, it is possible to have no risk factors (beyond age) and still get it. The more factors that apply to you, the higher your level of risk.