Race and Ethnicity as Risk Factors for AMD
How AMD Rates Differ Across Racial and Ethnic Groups
White (Caucasian) Americans have the highest rates of AMD vision loss of any racial group in the United States. According to the NEI,more than 1 in 10 white Americans over age 80has AMD-related vision loss. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in white Americans, accounting for54% of all blindnessin this group. The higher prevalence is linked to both genetic factors and potentially higher rates of UV exposure over a lifetime.
Black Americans have lower rates of AMD-related vision loss than white Americans, according to the NEI. The leading causes of blindness in Black Americans are cataract and glaucoma, not AMD. Neovascular (wet) AMD is less common in African American individuals than in Caucasian individuals. However, AMD does occur in Black Americans, and the condition can be overlooked if screening focuses only on the highest-risk group.
Latino and Hispanic Americans have early AMD rates nearly double those of Black Americans, according to NEI and the LALES study. Advanced AMD rates in this group are comparable to Black Americans but lower than white Americans. As the Hispanic population ages, AMD prevalence is expected to increase. Targeted screening in older Hispanic adults helps detect the disease before vision loss occurs.
According to the NEI, Caucasian and Asian populations face higher AMD risk than Hispanic and African populations overall. AMD patterns may differ by Asian subgroup, with some studies showing higher rates of wet AMD relative to dry AMD in East Asian populations. These differences are an active area of research as global AMD burden continues to grow.
Why These Differences Exist
AMD-associated gene variants, including those in the CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1 genes, are distributed differently across racial and ethnic groups. Populations with higher frequencies of these risk variants tend to have higher AMD rates. Genetic background partly explains why white and Asian populations face higher AMD risk, though it does not tell the whole story.
Smoking rates, dietary patterns, UV exposure habits, and access to health care vary across racial and ethnic groups. These modifiable risk factors interact with genetic susceptibility. For example, groups with higher smoking rates or lower rates of UV-blocking sunglasses use may face elevated AMD risk regardless of genetic background.
Disparities in access to comprehensive eye care affect AMD detection and treatment timing across all populations. Patients in underserved communities may not receive regular dilated eye exams, allowing AMD to progress undetected. AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over age 65 across all racial groups, making screening essential for everyone.
What This Means for Your Eye Care
Racial and ethnic variation in AMD prevalence means all populations benefit from age-appropriate screening, not only white patients, according to the NEI. If you are over 50 and have other AMD risk factors (smoking, family history), schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam regardless of your ethnic background. Early detection matters for every patient.
If AMD runs in your family, tell your eye doctor regardless of your racial background. Family history is one of the strongest AMD risk factors across all ethnic groups. Your doctor can adjust your screening schedule based on both your family history and your other risk factors.
Quitting smoking, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, exercising regularly, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, and controlling blood pressure benefit everyone. These steps reduce AMD risk across all racial and ethnic groups. The same lifestyle strategies that protect white patients at higher genetic risk also protect patients of all backgrounds from modifiable risk factors.
Questions About Race, Ethnicity, and AMD
Yes. While AMD rates are lower in Black Americans, the disease does occur and can cause significant vision loss if undetected. Your eye doctor should include retinal evaluation in your comprehensive exam, especially after age 60.
AMD treatment (AREDS2 supplements, anti-VEGF injections, complement inhibitors) is the same regardless of your racial or ethnic background. Your treatment plan is based on your AMD type and stage, not your ethnicity.
The AAO does not recommend genetic testing for AMD in any population because results do not change treatment. Genetic risk variants differ across groups, but the clinical management approach remains the same. Family history provides the most practical genetic risk information for all patients.
Public health screening programs benefit all aging populations. While white and Asian populations have higher AMD prevalence, all groups benefit from regular dilated eye exams. Screening programs should be inclusive, especially in communities with limited access to eye care.
Your AMD risk reflects a combination of your genetic variants from all ancestral backgrounds plus your lifestyle and environmental exposures. Multiracial individuals should follow the same screening recommendations as anyone in their age and risk group. Share your complete family health history with your eye doctor.
Yes. Researchers are working to better understand AMD genetics, prevalence, and presentation across diverse populations. Historically, AMD studies enrolled predominantly white participants. Newer studies are actively recruiting diverse participants to ensure that future treatments and screening guidelines account for the full range of genetic and environmental variation.
Get Screened Regardless of Background
Schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam if you are over 50 or have AMD risk factors. Early detection protects your central vision no matter your racial or ethnic background. AMD affects all populations, and regular screening is the best defense.