Your risk for AMD increases as you get older. People age 55 and older are more likely to have AMD.

There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet. Most people with AMD have dry AMD (also called atrophic AMD). This is when the macula gets thinner with age. Dry AMD happens in 3 stages: early, intermediate, and late. It usually progresses slowly over several years.

AMD is very common — 11 million people in the United States have it. Late AMD can happen in 1 or both eyes. Having late AMD in 1 eye puts you at higher risk of developing late AMD in your other eye.

Research shows that you may be able to lower your risk of AMD (or slow vision loss from AMD) by making healthy choices.

It depends what stage of AMD you have. If you have intermediate AMD in 1 or both eyes, they may be able to stop it from turning into late AMD.