Are You at Risk for Eye Disease? Are You at Risk for Eye Disease?
National Eye Institute

Are you at risk for eye disease? Help protect your vision!
Visit your eye doctor regularly to prevent vision loss.

See information on this page about

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Cataract Diabetic Eye Disease Glaucoma

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age is the greatest risk factor for AMD. Other risk factors include being

female, White, a smoker, or having a family history of AMD.

If you are over age 60, NEI recommends that you have an eye exam through dilated pupils every two years. More information is available in the NEI fact sheet, "Don’t Lose Sight of Age-Related Macular Degeneration."

Cataract

Cataract can occur at any age, but you are at a higher risk after age 60. If you are over age 60, NEI recommends that you have an eye exam through dilated pupils every two years. More information is available in the NEI fact sheet, "Don’t Lose Sight of Cataract."

Diabetic Eye Disease

People with diabetes are at a higher risk for eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract. If you have diabetes, NEI recommends that you have an eye exam through dilated pupils at least once a year. More information is available in the NEI fact sheet, "Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease" and the interactive "Eye-Q Test—Diabetic Eye Disease: How Much Do You Know?."

Aprende sobre la enfermedad diabética del ojo con este prueba interactiva "¿Cuánto Sabe Sobre la Enfermedad Diabética del Ojo?" (Spanish version of the Eye-Q test).

Glaucoma

Anyone can get glaucoma, but you are at a higher risk if you are:

Black and over age 40, over age 60, or you have a family history of glaucoma.

If you are in any of these risk groups, NEI recommends that you have an eye exam through dilated pupils every two years. More information is available in the NEI fact sheet, "Don’t Lose Sight of Glaucoma" and the interactive "Eye-Q Test—Glaucoma: How Much Do You Know?."