Over the last 15 years, rates of age-related macular degeneration have fallen, statistics show.

Rates fell from 9.4% in the study period of 1988 to 1994 to 6.5% between 2005 and 2008, HealthDay News reported. Additionally, rates of age-related AMD in blacks over the age of 60 are lower than in whites in the same age group.

Researchers say these improvements suggest that people are taking the idea of living a healthier lifestyle to heart. They hope further collaboration between patients and providers will continue.

The study was published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.