The Psychological Impact of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can have a powerful impact on the health, both physical and emotional, of the sufferer. As an aging deterioration of vision, macular degeneration, also known as MD, results in a loss of vision when the blood supply to the retina malfunctions. With most patients suffering from dry macular degeneration, the lack of blood supply, and nutrition, results in the deterioration of healthy tissue in the eye and, ultimately, loss of vision.

For many patients suffering from macular degeneration, there is a fear of a sudden loss of independence. Because the condition leads to more than a loss of sight, the person diagnosed with macular degeneration, often, will often fall into a deep depression with the realization they will now longer be able to conduct even their own self-image assessments.

Beyond the realization that life will forever be changed by the loss of vision and the ability to see not only your own body, but also the world we live in, the individual suffering from macular degeneration may express grave complaints over the financial distress often attached to the medical issues of macular degeneration. Beyond simple medical and ophthalmologist treatments, the person suffering from macular degeneration may also face the realization of financial distress in terms of purchasing medical assistive devices to aide in the very basis functions of life; house modifications and transportation concerns.

When caring for a loved one who is suffering from the psychological and emotional impact of macular degeneration, it is important to encourage and improve the mental health as much as it is to improve the physical health. Encourage the patient to experience life in terms of new senses, through touch, taste and smell. Find a local support group or network for individuals with common disabilities of impaired vision and encourage the patient to maintain spiritual connection with weekly prayer services.