Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with higher prevalence and incidence of AMD.20–25 Pooled analysis from the Beaver Dam, the Blue Mountains and Rotterdam Eye Studies showed that current smokers were more than twice as likely to develop late AMD than people who had never smoked.26 Other identified vascular associations with AMD include cardiovascular disease,23 27 stroke,28 hypertension23 and inflammatory markers such as C- reactive protein (CRP).29 30 Smoking and cardiovascular disease are more prevalent in people with lower SES and living in more deprived areas. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is age-related macular degeneration.