The greatest risk factor is age. Although AMD may occur during middle age, studies show that people over age 60 are clearly at greater risk than other age groups. Middle-aged people have about a 2% risk of getting AMD while people over age 75 have a nearly 30% risk.
Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, white race, female gender, a family history of macular degeneration, a diet low in fruit and vegetables, high blood pressure, and elevated blood cholesterol.