 Age-related macular degeneration, AMD, is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50. It is estimated that 11 million people worldwide suffer from this condition. There are several known risk factors for AMD, including increasing age, smoking, previous cataract surgery, and a family history of AMD. Other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity have been found to be less consistently linked to AMD. Physicians and ophthalmologists can use this information to assess patients' risks for developing AMD and take steps to reduce their risk. This article was authored by Evans Christopher, Pio Elizabeth, Fletcher Astrid, and others.