There are various factors that can put you at risk for AMD:

• Age is the greatest risk factor. People over 60 are at greatest risk.
• If you have immediate family members who have been diagnosed with AMD, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
• If you have AMD in one eye, you are at high risk of developing AMD in the other eye.
• Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop AMD. The more you smoke, the higher the risk.
  Quitting smoking can decrease the risk of developing AMD by 300%!
• Women are more likely to develop AMD than men.
• AMD tends to be more common in Caucasians. Those with lighter irises (i.e., blue or green eyes) may have increased risk.
• Obesity increases the progression of early and intermediate stage AMD to advanced AMD.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of developing AMD.

What can I do to decrease my risk?

• Avoid smoking.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in oily fish (like salmon) and green leafy vegetables (like spinach and kale).
• Control your blood pressure and cholesterol
• Regular exercise may decrease your risk of developing AMD.
• Get a yearly, dilated eye exam!