What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a degenerative process that affects the area of the retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the inside of the eye) responsible for central vision (the macula). It is more common as we age, and in certain demographic groups: in fact, as many as 15% of Caucasian women over the age of 80 have some degree of AMD. While we can’t control our age, we can modify our behavior – for example, smoking can increase the risk of AMD by a factor of 6, and it’s never too late to quit.