By controlling these risk factors, you may be able to lessen your risk of being afflicted with this eye disease that can result in significant vision loss.

The main risk factor is age. Those over 60 are more susceptible to age-related macular degeneration than those who are younger. In fact, macular degeneration is the leading cause of loss of vision for those over the age of 60.

Other macular degeneration risk factors include:

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• Vascular disease

• Age

• Caucasian descent

• Diet of high saturated fat

• High cholesterol

• Family history

• Sunlight exposure

• Farsightedness

If you experience any changes in your vision, you should make an appointment for an eye exam with your optometrist. He can examine your eyes for signs of macular degeneration as well as a wide variety of other eye diseases. It is important not to ignore the warning signs that a change in your vision often represents.

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