The IVW method demonstrated a significant association, indicating that higher cystatin C levels are associated with increased risk of AMD (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.22, p = 0.004 for overall AMD; OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.25, p = 0.007 for dry AMD; OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.26, p = 0.011 for wet AMD). Here, CST3 is linked to age-related macular degeneration.