Slight vision loss has devastating effect on quality of life, surgeon says

NEW ORLEANS — Slight to moderate vision loss from age-related macular degeneration can have a devastating effect on quality of life, affecting a patient’s ability to read, drive, walk and function normally in everyday life.

“We live in a sighted culture,” Lyas G. Mogk, MD, said at a press briefing during the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. “Even a little vision loss to a fully sighted adult can compromise function more globally than any other impairment, increasing the risk of falls and injuries, medication mix-ups, poor nutrition, social isolation and clinical depression.”

According to Dr. Mogk, patients rate vision loss as more traumatic and debilitating than the loss of both legs. “In terms of debilitating disease, vision loss is second only to loss of mental capacity,” Dr. Mogk said.

Clinical depression accompanies many patients with vision loss, but Dr. Mogk said that depression and functional abilities can improve with visual rehabilitation.

“Visual rehabilitation keeps patients active. It’s about living with visual loss but maximizing one’s independence,” she said. Occupational therapists can provide visual rehabilitation that helps patients to learn how to cope with their lack of vision by manipulating light and contrasts, using the aid of magnifiers and utilizing products with enlarged print.

“It’s extremely important to initiate rehabilitation early on in the disease,” Dr. Mogk said. “Early intervention helps patients transition into vision loss more easily and can actually help those patients with vision loss get their life back.”