Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization

INTRODUCTION Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major health problem worldwide and is the most frequent cause of blindness among individuals 55 years or older in developed countries (1). Owing to the progressive increase in the life expectancy and the proportion of elderly persons in the population of the United States, it is estimated that the number of persons having late AMD will increase to 2.95 million in 2020 (1). The increasing prevalence of AMD has led many investigators to search for factors that could be modifi ed to prevent the onset of or delay the natural course of AMD. The modifi cation of risk factors has the potential for widespread public health impact on AMD morbidity and can complement the available therapeutic modalities.