Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people older than 50. When you have this condition – also known as AMD – a part of your retina called the macula is damaged. You slowly lose the central part of your sight, although your peripheral, or side, vision isn’t affected.
Impact of Macular Degeneration on Mental Health
When you have AMD, you have greater odds of becoming depressed than the general population. Some studies show that up to one-third of people with AMD are depressed. Any type of vision loss can cause depression, but research shows that people with AMD may have a higher chance of having depression than people with other eye conditions such as glaucoma.
Though not as common as depression, anxiety is another mental health issue that affects people with low vision. If your eyesight is weak, you may become especially anxious about social situations such as eating in a restaurant or traveling somewhere unfamiliar. Treatment for one type of AMD involves injections into the eye. These shots made some patients more anxious, studies show.
What’s the Link Between Mental Health and Macular Degeneration?
Low vision has a big impact on your quality of life. Day-to-day tasks are harder, and you may feel you’ve lost your independence and a sense of control. Some people lose touch with their social circles because they can’t drive. Vision problems may make it tough to continue hobbies you enjoy.
Depression can become a cycle that reinforces itself. One symptom of depression is decreased motivation. If you are less motivated to do things that give you joy – such as hobbies or socializing – you are likely to become even more depressed.
If you have AMD, you also may be depressed because the problem-solving skills you’ve developed throughout your life don’t work the same when you have vision loss, and you need to adapt to a new way of living.
The outlook when you have AMD – slow vision loss – also can cause anxiety and depression. Worries about where you’ll live or how you’ll manage your daily life in the future can make things worse.
What Are the Signs of Depression and Anxiety?
It’s important to watch for signs of depression and anxiety. Studies show that mental health problems have an add-on effect, making a disability worse. Untreated mental health problems might make you more likely to fall or to need nursing home care.
Researchers found that those with AMD who were depressed had more trouble with their day-to-day activities, even beyond what changes in their eyesight would account for.
Common signs of depression include:
- Lack of interest in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
- Feeling sad or anxious often
- Feeling helpless or worthless
- Feeling tired or lacking energy, even when you’ve slept
- Changes in your appetite or weight
Common signs of anxiety include:
- Crankiness
- Trouble focusing
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling as though you cannot control your worries
- Restlessness – feeling wound up or on edge
If You Notice Symptoms of Depression or Anxiety
As health care providers have become more aware of mental health problems and AMD, there’s been a push for them to watch for these problems. But doctors who treat AMD may not be used to dealing with these issues and may not ask about your mental health.
Studies show doctors had several reasons to avoid talking about mental health:
- They weren’t sure they could identify depression.
- They weren’t sure where to send patients for depression treatment.
- They simply didn’t want to bring up the topic.
Don’t rely on your doctor to raise the issue. If you feel depressed or anxious, talk to a health care provider about it. Tell a friend or family member, and ask for their help to get treatment.
A support group for people with low vision also can point you in the right direction for treatment.
Mental Health Treatment
Whether you’re having mental health problems or not, your doctor may suggest low-vision rehabilitation. Think of it as physical therapy for someone with vision loss. Rehab will help you adapt to life with AMD. It may teach you things such as:
- Making your home safer
- Upgrading lighting
- Meal preparation
- Using magnifiers to read and other devices
- Labeling items around your home to find things more easily
- Managing your financial records
Aside from teaching helpful skills, rehabilitation programs show a positive effect on depression in some studies.
If your mental health issues are more challenging, your doctor may send you to someone who’s an expert in that area. Treatment might include talk therapy or medicine.
In an interesting twist, scientists have found evidence that fluoxetine (Prozac), a common antidepressant, may work to improve some types of AMD. More research is needed.
Steps You Can Take to Improve Mental Health
There are things you can do on your own to help keep depression and anxiety at bay:
- Eat healthy meals and exercise.
- Spend time outside – vitamin D provided by sunlight and fresh air are good for you.
- Socialize, whether by talking on the phone, connecting online, or visiting people in person.
- Make sure you get enough sleep on a regular schedule.
- Make time to do things you enjoy.
- Be open to learning new ways to do things.
