Prevention & Risk Factors
There is currently no cure for either form of AMD, so prevention is important. The first step is knowing the risk factors for AMD, and then taking care of the ones you can control.
Although researchers do not have a definitive picture of what causes AMD, they have identified a number of factors that may put a person at greater risk for developing the disease.
As you will see from the list below, there are some risk factors you can't do anything about (such as your age or gender) - these are called non-modifiable factors. There are other factors that you can change, and these are called modifiable risk factors. When dealing with your risk, you want to minimize your modifiable risks as much as possible, particularly if you have other significant risk factors that are non-modifiable.
You can learn more about possible risk factors for AMD below.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Genetics
Some studies have shown that some cases of AMD are hereditary. Researchers have recently uncovered a link between AMD and a mutation in the fibulin 5 gene. However, flaws in the fibulin 5 gene appear to be involved in just 1.7 per cent of cases, suggesting that AMD may be a diseases that has many causes, which require different approaches to treatment.
Age
By definition, age is the greatest risk factor for AMD. An estimated one million Canadians have some form of AMD, and the majority of them are people over the age of 50. Prevalence increases dramatically the older you get.
Gender, estrogen and early menopause
Studies suggest a higher incidence of AMD in women, particularly in women who experience earlier onset of menopause, which suggests that estrogen may play a protective role in minimizing AMD risk. Part of the reason women have a higher incidence of AMD may be due to the fact that women generally live longer, but this is currently under investigation.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Cigarette smoking
Studies have found that smoking dramatically increases your risk of AMD. People who smoke are up to four times more likely to develop AMD compared to the general population, and people who smoke and have family history have 144 times the risk of the general population! Although the long-term advantages of smoking cessation are not yet known, people with AMD are strongly advised to stop smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke also contributes to the risk of developing AMD, so if you quit, you'll also reduce the risk of the people who are close to you.
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Severe AMD has been associated with moderate to severe elevations in blood pressure, according to a recent study, which found that patients with wet AMD, the more severe form, were more than four times as likely to have moderate or severe hypertension than patients without AMD. Additionally, cardiovascular disease, in general, appears to be associated with an increased risk of AMD.
Overexposure in sunlight
The link between sun exposure, specifically to blue wavelengths, and cellular damage, suggests that exposure to sunlight might damage the macula and be a cause of AMD. Studies to support this theory have been inconclusive thus far, but additional studies are under way. Still, eye care professionals recommend protecting eyes from the sun and other UV light. Here are some tips to reduce your exposure:
- Wear sunglasses with a high UV rating,
- Cover up with clothing and a hat,
- Stay in the shade, and
- Be aware that sun exposure happens even on moderately bright or overcast days, or in the winter.
Diet
Research on the link between diet and AMD risk has shown that intake of a variety of food types may alter the risk of developing AMD. For example, a high consumption of linoleic acid, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and vegetable fats - fats commonly found in many snack or 'junk' foods - was associated with double the risk of developing wet AMD.
Red Meat Intake Increases AMD Risk: Study
People who are heavy consumers of red meat are increasing their risk of developing AMD, while chicken has a slightly protective effect, according to a recent study from Australia. The study, conducted by Dr. Elaine Chong and other researchers at the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne, was recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Read more about the link between heavy red meat consumption and AMD
Researchers also found that people with limited intake of linoleic acid who ate two or more servings of fish that is high in Omega 3 fatty acids per week had a lower risk for developing AMD. Other studies have shown that intake of fruits may reduce the risk of AMD, as would diets rich in carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark green leafy vegetables and some berries.
Other Possible Risk Factors
In addition to the above risk factors, researchers are looking at hyperopia (farsightedness), light skin and eye colouring, cataract surgery, high blood cholesterol levels and race as possible factors that increase the risk of developing AMD.
New Genetic Test Available for AMD
Are you wondering about your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? A new test called MaculaRisk has recently become available in Canada, and it can teach you about the AMD genes in your genetic makeup. If AMD runs in your family, the test can help you to gauge your chances of developing the condition – and may help you take preventative steps now if it turns out you are more at risk. But genetic testing may not be for everyone, and the field is still new. Read on to learn more about this test and the issues surrounding genetic testing for AMD