A history of psychiatric illness is associated with an increased risk of recurrence of serous macular detachment in untreated patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), according to a new study. Retrospective review of untreated CSC patients with a follow-up of ≥3 years. Patient demographics, visual outcome and risk factors for...

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...

Patients with wet AMD that fails to respond to anti-VEGF therapy are at risk of depression, according to a new study. Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment has dramatically reduced the risk of severe vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). On average, about 30% of subjects in clinical trials...

A self-management program dericted at persons with age-related vision loss can improve overall health and low vision rehabilitation outcomes, according to a new study. Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMP) assist people in managing their disease/symptoms, as well as the emotional and daily consequences of living with a chronic...

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,...

Though Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) was first described in 1760, it is still a phenomenon that is not widely known. Some medical providers know very little about CBS, and some patients are even referred for inappropriate inpatient psychiatric care upon presenting with symptoms of CBS. Additionally, most patients are unaware that hallucinations...

A study of caregivers of visually impaired adults finds that a substantial number experience psychosocial distress and those who possess poor social problem-solving abilities are at higher risk for depression. For purposes of this study, family caregivers were defined as adults who accompanied their adult relative to an appointment at a...

A 10-year nationally representative longitudinal study of individuals aged 68 years and older with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that persons with AMD had higher rates of visual and functional impairments and had more illness than persons without AMD. This is a longitudinal retrospective cohort study (January 1, 1994-December 31...