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Menu
  • My Cart
    • Language
      • English
      • Arabic
      • Chinese
      • Greek
      • Italian
      • Portuguese
      • Spanish
      • Vietnamese
    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
        • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • How The Eye Works
      • Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetes
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Low Vision
        • Living with Low Vision
        • Carer and Family
        • Aids and Technology
        • Slips, Trips and Falls
        • Legal blindness
      • Other Macular Diseases
        • Best Disease
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
        • Macular Telangiectasia
        • Myopic Macular Degeneration
        • Retinal Detachment
        • Retinitis Pigmentosa
        • Retinal Vein Occlusion
        • Stargardt Disease
        • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
      • Macular Disease
        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
    • Research
      • Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Awarded
        • Research Grant Recipients
        • Apply for the 2021 MDFA Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants panel
      • Support Research
      • Understanding Research
      • Latest Research
        • Research News
        • MDFA Research
        • Macular Diseases
        • Social Impact
      • Research Updates
        • Annual Research Update
        • Weekly Research Updates for Professionals
      • Research studies
    • Resources
      • Macula Month 2020
        • Order Macula Month resources
      • Order Publications and Resources
      • Find a Healthcare Provider
      • Audio and Video
        • Audio
        • See My World podcast
        • Patient Voices
        • Videos
      • Aged care resources
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        • Vision Voice Newsletters
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        • Whistleblower Policy
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  • Risk Factors
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Risk Factors

Macular degeneration is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include age, family history and smoking.

Age 

People over the age of 50 are at risk of macular degeneration. In fact, one in seven Australians over 50 - or 1.29 million people - has some evidence of this disease. 

Family history

People with a direct family history of macular degeneration have a 50% chance of developing the disease. Because at least 70% of cases of macular degeneration have a genetic link, it is critical that people with macular degeneration inform their siblings and children that they have been diagnosed with the disease.

Direct family members should have their eyes tested, their maculas checked and follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations of Macular Disease Foundation Australia.

Smoking

Studies have shown that people who smoke are three to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration. Smokers may also develop the disease five to ten years earlier than non-smokers. People with a specific genetic predisposition who smoke have a significantly increased risk of developing macular degeneration.

It is important for a person who smokes to find a way to quit smoking.  To help plan and implement a strategy to quit smoking speak to your GP and/or call the Quitline: 13 7848 or visit Quit Now for information and support.
 

Check My Macula

Are you at risk of macular disease? Head to www.CheckMyMacula.com.au. Five easy questions and one minute is all it takes to check your risk factors for macular diseaes. Check My Macula is an initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia

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