Both parents having macular degeneration is not a guarantee that you will have it; however, there is clearly a hereditary component to macular degeneration. Recent research has found that variants of different genes are present in many, if not most, patients who have macular degeneration.
The fact that one’s parents have macular degeneration is suggestive that they may have one of the genes associated with macular degeneration, and therefore may have passed it on to their children. It is not, however, a certainty.
Nick’s comment: Knowing what I know now, I have tried to educate my three children, ages 27, 35, and 40 years old, as to how very critical eye exams are. Having glaucoma as well as macular degeneration raises my awareness for them. I rein-force the time factor always, meaning the sooner the better—time is of the essence. I encourage annual checkups, or more often if necessary.