What Increases Your Risk

The main things that put you at risk (risk factors) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include:

• Older age. Age is the biggest risk factor for getting AMD. After age 75, more than 30 out of 100 people may have some form of AMD. But in people ages 43 to 54, fewer than 10 out of 100 have it.¹
• A family history of the disease. You are much more likely to get AMD if a close relative has it.
• Race. Whites appear to have a higher risk than blacks or Hispanics.
• Smoking. People who smoke are about twice as likely to develop AMD than nonsmokers. The risk appears to be higher for people who have been heavy smokers or who have smoked for a long time.¹
• One eye with wet AMD. Nearly half of people with wet AMD in one eye get wet AMD in the other eye within 5 years.²

Other risk factors for developing AMD may include:¹

• Deposits at the back of the eye, called drusen. Eyes with large, soft drusen deposits are at a greater risk for developing abnormal blood vessels and wet AMD.
• A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Not getting enough carotenoids, antioxidant vitamins, and zinc in your diet.

When To Call a Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if:

• You have a sudden, rapid loss of vision.
• You suddenly notice a new blank or dark spot in the center of your vision that does not go away.
• Straight lines appear wavy or curved, or objects begin to change size or shape or appear distorted.
• You see either of the following on an Amsler grid:
  • Lines that change or appear wavy and curved
  • A blank spot that you have not noticed before in the grid

Your doctor will refer you to an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) if needed.

Call your doctor to discuss whether you need an eye exam if:

• You need more light to read than you used to.
• Colors seem faded or less vivid than they used to.
• Your vision seems to be getting more blurry.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting means to take a wait-and-see approach.

Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you have rapid vision loss or sudden changes in your vision. If you have any rapid vision changes, see your doctor as soon as possible. Immediate treatment may be able to slow vision loss caused by wet AMD. Delaying treatment for wet AMD could mean further loss of central vision.

If you have mild, slow vision loss, such as that caused by dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), watchful waiting is appropriate. There is no treatment for dry AMD. And you may never develop vision loss to the point that it disrupts your regular lifestyle.

Who to see

AMD can usually be detected during a routine eye exam by your regular doctor or an eye care professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist).

An ophthalmologist who specializes in problems with the retina and macula can diagnose which type of AMD you have. Also, laser surgery and medicine injections for wet AMD are done by an ophthalmologist.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.