Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Prevention

Prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) requires attention to reducing individual risk factors.

Behavioral risk factors

  • Diet
    • High fat consumption
    • A high dietary glycemic index is associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
    • Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients.
  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Tobacco (smoking)
      • AMD for smokers versus nonsmokers: odds ratios between 2.6 and 4.8
      • Wet AMD occurs on average about 5 years earlier in smokers than in nonsmokers
  • “Laser disco macula” as a result of damage caused by laser use in discotheques.

Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings).

  • Radiation exposure – intense sunlight (UV-A and UV-B).

Prevention factors (protection factors)

  • Genetic factors
    • Genetic risk reduction depending on gene polymorphisms:
      • Genes/SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism):
        • Genes: C2, CFH, TLR3
        • SNP: rs1061147 in the gene CFH
          • Allele constellation: AC (0.97-fold).
          • Allele constellation: CC (0.34-fold)
        • SNP: rs3775291 in the gene TLR3
          • Allele constellation: AG (0.71-fold for dry AMD).
          • Allele constellation: AA (0.44-fold for dry AMD)
        • SNP: rs9332739 in gene C2
          • Allele constellation: CG (0.47-fold).
          • Allele constellation: CC (0.47-fold)
        • SNP: rs547154 in gene C2
          • Allele constellation: AC (0.47-fold).
          • Allele constellation: AA (0.47-fold)
  • UV protection 400 (US standard) and blue attenuation: any sunglasses as well as any other glasses should have UV protection 400 (US standard) and blue attenuation (400-500 nm) circa 95%. In Europe, however, “100% UV protection” is already valid at 380 nm, although the lens of the eye in this range still absorbs 78% of UV radiation!