What are the risk factors for AMD?
The following are known to be, or strongly suspected of being, risk factors for AMD: Age. Age itself is a risk factor for AMD. People 65 to 74 years of age have a 1 in 5 chance of developing the disease. People over the age of 75 have a nearly 1 in 3 chance of developing the disease. Smoking. Studies have shown links between cigarette smoking and increased risk of both wet and dry AMD. Heavy smoking is associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of AMD with vision loss. Genetics. Family history appears to play a role in AMD. Therefore, people with relatives with the disease should be especially vigilant about having their eyes tested. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that patients who have blood relatives with AMD have their eyes checked every 2 years. Sun Exposure. According to the AAO, studies show that repeated exposure to the sun’s rays can contribute to eye disorders that commonly develop with age, including AMD and cataracts. Gender and Race. AMD is more c
