Self-management training helps those with eye condition

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Patients following a self-management program for age-related macular degeneration were less likely to become depressed, according to a study.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Not surprisingly, it leads to considerable anxiety, depression and loss of confidence. But these problems can be prevented by a self-management program, according to scientists at the University of California, San Diego.

The self-management program consisted of six two hour sessions where patients were taught about AMD and how to cope with it. A group of 231 volunteers either followed the program, listened to lectures about AMD on tape, or were placed on a waiting list. Immediately after the study, there was significant improvement in mood, functioning and quality of life in those who followed the program. In the current study, the improvements were found to be well sustained. In the control groups, there were new cases of depression. Comparison showed the incidence of depression was twice as high in the control group. Clearly the self-management plan has great benefit to offer those who have AMD.

Source
Archives of Ophthalmology January 2005