COL8A1 and age-related macular degeneration: In fact, eight susceptibility genes (CFH, ARMS2, IL-8, TIMP3, SLC16A8, VEGFA, and COL8A1), old age, and smoking habit were shown to be risk factors for AMD in the Italian population (accounting for 29% of disease susceptibility), whereas female sex and regular consumption of fruits and vegetables appeared to be protective (9).