A systematic review of the epidemiological literature performed independently by three reviewers suggests that living in a sunnier climate significantly increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the risk reduces significantly as GDP per capita increases. While several risk factors have been identified for AMD, including age, gender, genetic factors, smoking, cardiovascular disease and iris colour, the debate over sunlight exposure has been controversial. Motivated to resolve the long running dispute, researchers at the School of Public Health, China Medical University in Shenyang performed their comprehensive analysis and published their findings in the British Journal of Ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol 2012;0: 1-6. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302281).