Who is affected by macular degeneration

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.

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).