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Group calls for action to address risk of depression from AMD
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BALTIMORE — Vision loss from age-related macular degeneration affects patients' quality of life and psychological well-being about as significantly as cancer and coronary heart disease, according to a report by a non-profit group. The report also said vision loss from AMD increases the risk of depression and suicide.
The AMD Alliance International, a coalition of senior, vision and research organizations, issued a White Paper detailing the effects of vision loss from AMD. It shows that the psychological effects of the condition are often underestimated at both the clinical and public levels, according to a press release.
The report inaugurates a global outreach campaign focusing on awareness of the psychological effects of AMD by the AMD Alliance, which consists of 55 organizations in 22 countries. The AMD Alliance is the only international organization focused exclusively on AMD, according to the report.
"Early detection and treatment are essential ... . In addition, in many cases, low vision rehabilitation and counseling is the right support. We must accelerate our efforts to make low vision rehabilitation available to all those who need it," said Tara Cortes, RN, PhD, president and CEO of Lighthouse International, one of the organizations in the alliance.