The following content has been kindly provided by the Macular Society, to help increase awareness of age-related macular degeneration and the risk factors associated with it.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a form of macular disease and is the leading cause of sight loss in the developed world. It usually affects people over 50, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

There are two forms of AMD – dry and wet. Both of these affect an area at the back of your eye called the macula. It is part of the retina and is responsible for your central vision, most of your colour vision, and the fine detail of what you can see.

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a gradual deterioration of the macula as the retinal cells die off and are not renewed. Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops when abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula. These leak blood or fluid which leads to scarring of the macula and rapid loss of central vision.

Is AMD preventable and, if so, how can I stop it?

As the cause of AMD is unknown, there is no way to outright prevent it. However, there are ways to reduce your risk.

Smoking

Smokers are up to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration than non-smokers, because of the damage that this causes to the blood vessels and structure of the eye. This risk can go up even further if you have certain genes linked to AMD, in which case you can be up to twenty times more likely to develop the condition. However, it is never too late to stop smoking. Even after you have developed AMD, this can help reduce the risk of your eye condition getting worse.

You can find out more about the effects of smoking on the Macular Society website. If you are struggling to quit smoking, help is available through the NHS website.

Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, you are one and a half times more likely to have AMD than if you have normal blood pressure.. High blood pressure is treatable, and can be linked to lifestyle factors that also increase your risk of AMD. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly and speak to your GP if you have any concerns.

More information on high blood pressure can be found on the NHS website.

Diet

If you have a poor diet low in fruit and vegetables, then this may increase your risk of AMD. We all have substances known as oxidants in our bodies. These are thought to be partly responsible for the ageing process and, in the eye, they may contribute to the development of AMD by speeding up cell degeneration. Antioxidants protect the body from the effect of oxidants, but many of these can only be obtained from food. To absorb them in sufficient quantities means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

For more information on how nutrition affects your AMD risk, visit the Macular Society website.

Other Factors

There are other factors that increase your risk of developing AMD, but which are outside of your control. Age is the main risk factor and, although AMD affects men and women equally, women live longer than men, so more women are diagnosed with the condition overall. A family history of macular degeneration will also increase your chances of developing AMD.

You should have an eye test at least every two years or as often as recommended by your optician, even if you don't have any problems with your sight. An eye examination can often detect the early signs of many eye and general health conditions, including AMD, before you become aware of any symptoms. Although AMD is not always preventable, treatments do exist to slow down the progression of wet AMD, so it is important to pick up any changes in the health of your eye as early as possible.

About the Macular Society

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.