Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) attacks the central retina and causes debilitating vision loss in the approximately 1.5 million Americans affected by advanced forms of disease[1].Genetic variants CFH Y402H[2]–[4], ARMS2 A69S[5], [6], C3 R102G[7]–[9], and cigarette smoking[10] are now well-accepted risk factors for AMD, and CFB R32Q is associated with decreased AMD risk[11]–[13]. This evidence concerns the gene ARMS2 and age-related macular degeneration.