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Who is affected by macular degeneration

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By Robin Parks, MS

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The number of people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases with age.

  • AMD affects about 2% of people who are older than 50.1 After 50, it occurs with increasing frequency as people age.2
  • Some form of AMD may affect up to 46% of people who are older than 75.1

AMD occurs slightly more often in women than in men. People with light skin are more likely to develop macular degeneration than others. The condition is rare in blacks.

References

Citations

  1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (2006). Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available online: http://www.aap.org/ppp.

  2. Arnold J (2006). Age-related macular degeneration, search date March 2005. Online version of Clinical Evidence (15).

Credits

Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Last Updated August 13, 2007
Last Updated: 08/13/2007