Age-related macular degeneration is a macular disease which incidence increases with age. Currently, it is believed that its pathogenic factors are related to patients' age, heredity, smoking, oxidative stress, immune inflammatory response, RPE cell aging and metabolic abnormalities. Complement system plays an important role in the body's defense against infection, immune regulation and inflammatory response. Immune inflammation caused by abnormal activation of complement system is considered to be an important cause of ARMD in recent years. Autophagy also plays a role in ARMD. Normal autophagy is an important way for cells' self-protection and maintenance of homeostasis. When autophagy is blocked, oxidative stress can be aggravated, which will lead to the development of ARMD. The balance regulation between complement activation and autophagy is an important method to control the development of ARMD.