Is Macular Degeneration Hereditary?

If you have a parent or a sibling who has age related macular degeneration you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

It becomes all the more important to pay attention to the other risk factors and causes of AMD if you have this family history, as in my husband's case. We are all the more vigilant in making sure he wears his yellow tinted sunglasses, eats salmon, includes spinach in his diet and takes antioxidant supplements.

Several of the genes associated with macular degeneration have been identified and as a result we may see genetic screening tests for age related macular degeneration sometime in the future.

Consider these numbers:

√ Approximately one fourth of all late-stage macular degeneration appears to be related to genetics

√ The lifetime risk of developing late-stage macular degeneration is 50% for people who have a relative with macular degeneration vs 12% for people who's relatives do not have macular degeneration (4x the risk).

√ If you have first-degree relatives with late-stage macular degeneration you will develop macular degeneration at an increased rate at a younger age.

Arch Ophthalmol.1998;116:1646-51)

If you find these macular degeneration statistics a bit alarming for you or your family memebers, consider taking preventative measures to reduce your chances of developing macular degeneration. Click here to read more about macular degeneration prevention. Macular Degeneration Prevention

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