If you are interested in learning about age-related macular degeneration, you may be particularly curious about its risk factors. Those over 60 years old are the most likely to get it when it comes to age, but there are other factors aside from purely age. Not only does it tend to occur more often in females and Caucasian people, but it also follows some other trends, as well.
Health and Heredity
One way to determine your risk for getting age-related macular degeneration at some point is consider your health. If you are obese, you are twice as likely to get this condition compared to those at a healthy weight. Additionally, those with high blood pressure may have an increased risk of developing macular degeneration, according to recent studies.
One factor that you cannot control is heredity, as age-related macular degeneration tends to run in families. If anyone in your family has this condition, you may develop it eventually. Studies have been completed using twins to provide evidence that genetics can play a part in whether one develops this condition or not.
Habits
If smoking is one of your habits, you can credit it with possibly increasing your risk of getting age-related macular degeneration at some point. Even inhaling secondhand smoke can increase your chances of this condition, as some studies have even shown that it can double your risks.
If you have to take certain medications for your health, you may find that your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration is increased. For example, a drug used to treat malaria, called chloroquine, has been found to increase your risk. Additionally, phenothiazine, which is an anti-psychotic, can do the same. Consider asking your doctor or pharmacist if the drug you are prescribed is known for increasing your chances of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Clearly, age is not the only way to get this eye condition. There are even some factors that you can control, which means that you may be able to slightly decrease your risks, though of course there is no guarantee against this condition.