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A B D H C E G F I L M O V P S

Risk Factors

Numerous risk factors have been postulated, but it is unclear which factors have the greatest impact. Factors that cannot be altered are:
  1. Heredity - ARMD runs in families and it is not uncommon to see all the members of a family suffer from ARMD. It is likely that a set of genes predisposes patients to this disease. However, only some members in a family may have ARMD. It is unclear if the unaffected persons have the gene(s) or whether there are other factors involved. The Human Genome Project, which is nearing completion, is in the process of identifying all the genes that make up a human. There is ongoing research to find the abnormal gene or genes that may be linked to the development of ARMD. Although the genes you have cannot at this time be altered, it is hoped that gene therapy may change the course of diseases such as ARMD.
  2. Sex - A higher number of women have ARMD than men, but this may be related to the increase in longevity of women compared to men.
  3. Race and eye colour - Caucasians seem to have a higher chance of having ARMD than darker pigmented people. The pigmentation in the eye is usually related to the pigmentation in the skin. It is unclear if there is a protective effect of having darker pigmentation.
  4. Age - The chance of developing ARMD increases with age.
Factors that can be altered:
  1. High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease - Since blood vessels may be formed in ARMD, controlling blood pressure is important to reduce the probability of fluid and blood leakage.
  2. Smoking - Smoking not only increases blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, but also increases production of free radicals in the body, which may hasten the onset of ARMD.
  3. Diet - The lack of a proper diet robs the body of the essential nutrients to combat formation of free radicals and reduces the body's ability to heal properly.
  4. Exposure to sunlight - Excessive exposure of the macula to light may cause increased production of free radicals that are toxic to the retina. Light that is focused into the macula can cause a temperature increase that may predispose to degeneration of the RPE. Therefore, wearing sunglasses may reduce the amount of light being focused and thereby reduce the production of free radicals and heat.
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