Patient Communications

"You have Age-Related Macular Degeneration"

Consider communicating these five points to newly diagnosed AMD patients.

William Kekevian, senior associate editor

Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a diagnosis no patient wants to hear. It's been called the leading cause of new blindness in the Western World and, in a 2008 study, was said to be responsible for more than half of all legal blindness in the United States. This life altering disease with no cure can leave patients feeling frightened, hopeless, and full of grief. As a medical professional witnessing these states, there are a few points to keep in mind in dealing with newly diagnosed AMD patients, after the doctor has broken the news:

1. If patients are diagnosed with dry AMD, it is important that they realize it may not turn wet.

According to the Duke Eye Center in North Carolina, the average chance of converting from the dry to the wet (neovascular or exudative) form of AMD is about 2% per year.

2. If patients are diagnosed with wet AMD, it is no longer a diagnosis of blindness, as a result of the anti-VEGF injections.

Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications need to be administered regularly, as per the doctor's judgment. It may comfort a patient to know these medications not only help prevent further vision loss by slowing the progression of wet AMD, they may also improve vision for people with wet AMD.

3. If the patient has developed wet AMD in only one eye, there is a good chance the other eye will not be affected.

According to the World Health Organization, only 15% of patients with Wet AMD in one eye develop it in the other.

4. The patient's participation in monitoring his/her condition is crucial.

For patients who have wet or dry AMD, it is absolutely vital they take a role in their own care, such as performing home Amsler grid tests. Be sure to instruct patients in the test's use and advise them to call the ophthalmologist immediately if a change is noted.

5. There are ways to live with AMD.

Remind your patients to remain positive. While AMD will leave a lasting impact, the market is full of aides and gadgets to assist people in their predicament. Improved lighting, the application of magnifying devices, audio books and software, and large type print can help people with AMD live the life they're used to. There are also occupational therapists certified in vision rehabilitation that will help the patient remain as independent as possible.