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The effects of age-related macular degeneration are myriad and far-reaching. As a result of greatly impairing visual function, AMD can decrease one’s mobility, increase the risk of injury caused by falls, and result in emotional distress and depression.24,25
Although AMD almost never causes total blindness,2 its effect on daily life can be equally paralyzing. For, as the following chart shows, the more a patient’s visual acuity deteriorates, the more potential difficulties he or she stands to face.8
As visual acuity becomes worse, many activities of daily living are severely impacted.9
As this information shows, AMD moves in stages. At the onset of the disease, patients often have trouble distinguishing straight lines from wavy lines or recognizing certain colors, impairing their ability to complete tasks as simple as reading, sewing, or telling the time. As vision loss increases, patients may find themselves unable to drive, recognize facial expressions, or ascend and descend stairs.2,9
For the patient, all of these difficulties could contribute to a mounting sense of helplessness and severely diminished quality of life. Often remaining housebound, patients may feel as though they are a burden to themselves and others. Unfortunately, this loss of independence, combined with lowered self-esteem, may also lead to prolonged depression and despair.25
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