Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which accounts for 8.7 per cent of all blindness worldwide, is the most common cause of anxiety, and depression seen among people older than 60 years, health experts said on April 18.

AMD is a disease where abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula - the centre part of the retina - causing damage to the central vision and making it difficult to cope. Recent projections estimate that globally the number of individuals suffering from AMD will reach 288 million in 2040. In India, the overall prevalence of AMD currently ranges from 1.4 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

The earliest symptom of AMD is difficulty in seeing at night. At a later stage, AMD patients see blind spots and their ability to read, watch television, drive and recognise faces gets affected. It later progresses to blindness. The impaired vision disturbs the patients' routine, makes them dependent, and increases functional disability.

"People suffering from AMD, who has lost over 80 per cent of their central vision are more likely to have anxiety and depression. This is mainly because they have plans to retire smoothly and find it difficult to read and perform recreational activities at this stage in life, which causes frustration and discomfort."

"Their life involves multiple visits to the hospital accompanied with expensive treatments, which adds to deterioration in the quality of life," Dr Indu Singh, Consultant Retinal surgeon and Director, Dr Daljit Singh Eye Hospital, Amritsar, told IANS.

A recent study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also confirmed that AMD has a negative psychological impact, and it reduces the quality of life to levels comparable to severe illnesses like cancer and stroke.

While it is important to go for walks, supervise things at home, and manage depression, Dr Vishali Gupta, Professor, Vitreoretinal and Uvea, Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh suggested that patients engage in activities that they can do within the comfort zone of their vision.

"These patients should use magnifiers, iPads or other low vision aid devices that can help them read the script. Today some apps can read books to them. The idea is to keep oneself busy and feel useful," Gupta told IANS.

Another way to fight AMD related stress is to go for regular screening to avoid worsening of vision. Early diagnosis of AMD can help early treatment and also halt progression to vision loss.

Dr Daraius Shroff, a retina specialist at Shroff Eye Centre in Delhi, suggested patients with AMD share with family and friends their anxieties to help relieve mental stress as well as to gain support to find solutions to alleviate depression.