Am I at Risk? Is My Family at Risk?

The causes of macular degeneration are not well known or understood. Investigative studies are being conducted to determine whether there is:

• a genetic link within families
• a link to excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays from the sun
• a link to smoking
• a link to hypertension
• a link to cardiovascular disease
• greater incidence in those with blue or light colored eyes

and whether any or all of the above may prove to be risk factors.

Who is at risk for AMD?

The greatest risk factor is age. Although AMD may occur during middle age, studies show that people over age 60 are clearly at greater risk than other age groups. For instance, a large study found that people in middle-age have about a 2 percent risk of getting AMD, but this risk increased to nearly 30 percent in those over age 75.

Other risk factors include:

• Smoking. Smoking may increase the risk of AMD.
• Obesity. Research studies suggest a link between obesity and the progression of early and intermediate stage AMD to advanced AMD.
• Race. Whites are much more likely to lose vision from AMD than African Americans.
• Family history. Those with immediate family members who have AMD are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
• Gender. Women appear to be at greater risk than men.

Can my lifestyle make a difference?

Your lifestyle can play a role in reducing your risk of developing AMD.

• Eat a healthy diet high in green leafy vegetables and fish.
• Don't smoke.
• Maintain normal blood pressure.
• Watch your weight.
• Exercise.

Amsler Grid

The Amsler Grid is a simple test of vision quality and can detect degenerative changes in the macula. This test only takes a moment for each eye and the results can give you a warning of changes in your retina that require immediate attention by an ophthalmologist. While wearing your reading glasses, cover one eye and look at the dot in the center of the grid. The grid should appear uniform in size and shape. If you notice areas on the grid are distorted, blurred, or discolored, contact your eye doctor immediately.

The Amsler Grid

The center of the Amsler Grid through the eyes of a macular degeneration patient.

Test your vision. Click here for a full-size printable Amsler grid to test your vision. The grid will appear in a new browser window on your computer, specially sized for printing.