In a reversal of popular assumptions new research shows that when people with sight loss suffer depression and low quality of life it is more to do with low incomes, ill health and lack of social participation, than it is to do with their loss of vision. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Manchester School of Social...

Although patients with dry age-related macular degeneration may have clinically superior vision than patients with wet AMD, the nonexudative form can nonetheless negatively affect the patient's functional vision, according to a speaker at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. In a review of 467 patients with both forms of the disease,...

A review of the scientific literature addressing the psychosocial well-being in working age adults with visual impairment reports that there are higher rates of mental health, social functioning, and quality of life problems among persons with vision impairment. Systematic review of quantitative studies published in English from 2001 to July 200...

The emotional trauma of being diagnosed with sight loss is potentially devastating. Yet, while there is clear evidence of a need for emotional support, there is very little information on how best to provide it, according to a new study. "Not enough attention has been given to the emotional impact of sight loss," says Dr. Angela McCullagh,...

A prospective study of near visual acuity, reading speed, central visual field and related quality of life measures in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with Lucentis finds significant improvements is all measures of vision function and quality of life investigated. The study was a prospective, non-comparative...

A new report from the Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) finds that patients with ocular histoplasmosis syndrome or idiopathic choroidal neovascularization do not percieve any improvement in the desirability of their overall health status after undergoing submacular surgery. The Submacular Surgery Trials investigated the outcome following surgical...

Vision rehabilitation can significantly improve patient function and quality of life. Changing demographics, new technologies, and increased knowledge from rehabilitation research, such as the impact of central scotomas on reading performance, have significantly expanded the scope of vision rehabilitation beyond blind and optical rehabilitation....

Using intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) for occult or minimally classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a cost-effective therapy, according to an analysis of data from the MARINA study. "Ranibizumab treatment confers considerably greater value than other neovascular macular degeneration...

A new study finds that a physician with a positive attitude can have a significant effect on the patient's overall quality of life. The study involved 247 patients in a vitreoretinal clinic. The researchers first interviewed the patients and assessed their quality of life with a standardized instrument (baseline). Each patient was then...