What are the Risk Factors?

Age

The most significant risk factor for developing AMD is age. Adults in their 50s, 60s and beyond are at risk of developing AMD, and risk increases with advancing age – from 8.5% for people 43-54 years of age to a high of 36.8% for people over age 75.

Aging brings a number of physiological changes that occur slowly and often imperceptibly throughout our bodies:

• Our metabolic rate slows down making it more difficult to keep off excess weight.
• Our nutritional needs change.
• Eating habits may change and many of us do not eat as well as we think we do.
• Certain vitamins and nutrients are more easily depleted from our bodies.

These and other factors associated with aging are all thought to play a role in the development of AMD.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors are only one part of determining your risk of developing AMD. It is also important to consider Modifiable Risk Factors over which you have some control.

Family history

If you have a family history of AMD, you are at risk! Clinical studies have determined that individuals with a parent or sibling with AMD may be up to 3 times more likely to develop AMD themselves. If you know or suspect that a family member has AMD, reducing your risks becomes that much more important.

Genetic susceptibility to AMD may also be a good predictor of when onset of AMD might occur. A recent study¹ showed that individuals with a parent or sibling with AMD developed the disease more frequently and they were also more likely to do so at an earlier age.

If you have a parent or sibling with AMD, it's important to start taking steps to keep your eyes healthy now, regardless of your age.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors are only one part of determining your risk of developing AMD. It is also important to consider Modifiable Risk Factors over which you have some control.

1. "Genetic Risk of Age-related Maculopathy: Population-Based Familial Aggregation Study," Archives of Ophthalmology, Vol. 116.

Gender

Females may be at greater risk.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors are only one part of determining your risk of developing AMD. It is also important to consider Modifiable Risk Factors over which you have some control.

Race

People with light coloured skin may be more likely to develop AMD than dark skinned people.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors are only one part of determining your risk of developing AMD. It is also important to consider Modifiable Risk Factors over which you have some control.

Iris colour

People with light coloured irises may be more susceptible.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors are only one part of determining your risk of developing AMD. It is also important to consider Modifiable Risk Factors over which you have some control.