From the time of diagnosis, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can have a significant emotional impact. People with AMD are seven times more likely to experience depression than people without vision loss, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

If you’re navigating life with wet AMD, it’s important to prioritize your mental health and take care of yourself.

How Does Wet AMD Change Your Vision?

For many older adults, wet AMD can lead to permanent loss of central vision — what you see when looking straight ahead. This happens when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and begin to leak fluid or blood. These new vessels can damage and scar the macula, the part of the retina that helps you see fine details, color, and the center of your vision.

Vision changes from wet AMD can affect one or both eyes, often unevenly. If diagnosed and treated early, wet AMD may be slowed or even stabilized. But once damage occurs, vision changes are typically permanent. Around 80 percent to 90 percent of people with wet AMD who do not seek treatment eventually have vision loss severe enough to be classified as legally blind.

People with AMD are seven times more likely to experience depression than people without vision changes.

Common vision changes caused by wet AMD include:

• Fading color vision
• Blurry vision
• Blind or dark spots
• Objects appearing smaller than they are
• Trouble recognizing faces
• Complete loss of central vision

It’s important to stay in touch with your care team and keep up with your treatment plan to have the best chance of preserving your vision.

How Can Wet AMD Affect the Emotions?

Although vision changes can happen gradually, vision loss from wet AMD can affect your emotional well-being, even in the early stages. A study of 875 people with AMD found that people with vision loss in both eyes had the lowest mental health scores. Losing your vision can impact your quality of life and ability to live independently.

Here are some common emotional experiences reported by people with wet AMD.

1. Overwhelm at the Initial Diagnosis

A wet AMD diagnosis can feel overwhelming, even in the early stages. You might feel shock or denial at first, followed by anxiety about the future.

As one myAMDteam member shared, “I get depressed easily since I was diagnosed with AMD.”

2. Grief While Adjusting to Vision Loss

Vision loss can cause frustration or grief, especially in early to intermediate stages. In many cases, this vision loss isn’t debilitating, but even small challenges can add up over time. You might feel hopeless or withdraw from friends and family.

Ignoring the impact of vision loss from wet AMD on your mental health can lead to depression and anxiety. However, research shows that learning to accept your vision loss and approach it with a positive attitude can improve your mental health with time.

Additionally, having social support can also help you better adapt to using low-vision aids to using low-vision aids and improve your success with low-vision rehabilitation.

3. Anxiety About Future Vision Changes

Even before vision loss affects your daily life, you might feel anxious about the future. This anxiety about vision loss might drive you to dwell on your fears or be overly cautious.

One member of myAMDteam described their experience with anxiety around wet AMD: “I am 62 and was diagnosed with wet AMD in one eye. I am checking my vision too much and getting anxious about it.”

If you worry or dwell on vision loss from wet AMD, writing down your fears might help you cope. Taking notes can also help you remember details to discuss with your healthcare provider, who may offer solutions for specific concerns.

4. Isolation and Loss of Independence in Day-to-Day Life

Vision loss from wet AMD can limit your ability to live independently. Many myAMDteam members have shared their sadness and frustration about losing their independence, especially when it comes to driving with wet AMD:

• “I failed the vision test for my drivers license. I have to give up driving, and I’m devastated.”
• “Losing your license later in life is one of the most devastating things that can happen for independence. I fear that day, since I already struggle with driving at night and miss many activities and friends.”
• “I am blessed to have my husband as my chauffeur. That being said, it is still a difficult loss of independence that I’m trying to adjust to.”

If you can no longer drive, shop, or live alone without help, you might feel socially isolated. This social isolation can lead to depression, which can make it harder for you to connect with others and enjoy life.

5. Hope and Resilience While Learning To Adapt

Vision loss from wet AMD often requires changes to your daily routine or home environment. You might need to add better lighting to your workspace or use tools like a magnifying glass for reading. You may have to find new hobbies that don’t require strong vision.

Adopting healthy habits may help support your vision, like quitting smoking. While some lifestyle changes can make life with low vision easier, others may challenge your sense of purpose. Adapting to these changes isn’t always easy, especially when those changes involve losing a sense you rely on every day. At the same time, finding new ways to support your health can strengthen feelings of resilience.

Ways To Support Your Mental Health With Wet AMD

After you’ve been diagnosed with wet AMD, starting treatment as soon as possible is key to preserving your vision. Following your eye care specialist’s recommendations can help slow the loss of central vision and give you a sense of control. They may suggest treatments such as:

• Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF injections)
• Laser treatment
• Low-vision rehabilitation

Learning about your condition and what to expect can also ease anxiety and negative emotions. Understanding wet AMD and its treatments can help you trust your doctor’s decisions and feel more confident in your care plan.

Mental health support is also important as you navigate life with wet AMD. If you experience depression, mental health support from professionals, family, and peers can help you cope with symptoms like sadness, hopelessness, low energy, and social withdrawal.

Support Groups

Support groups for wet AMD let you connect with others who know what it’s like to experience vision loss from the condition. Joining a local support group can help you feel less alone and give you something to look forward to each week.

Approaching life changes with a positive mindset can help you cope with the emotions that come with wet AMD and vision loss.

You can also connect with others who understand the mental health challenges of wet AMD on myAMDteam.

Therapy

Therapy provides a safe space for you to talk about your feelings with a qualified mental health professional. Some therapists specialize in helping people with chronic illnesses. A therapist or counselor can help you manage emotions and stress related to your wet AMD diagnosis.

Activities and Lifestyle Changes

Approaching life changes with a positive mindset can help you cope with the emotions that come with wet AMD and vision loss.

For example, if you’re an artist experiencing vision loss, you might explore art forms that rely less on eyesight, like music or sculpting.

One myAMDteam member shared how they adapted: “I love to read, though I’m finding it more difficult now. I gave away a lot of my books and am using audiobooks now.”

Try to find activities that bring you joy despite your vision changes or anxiety about future vision loss. Learning new skills or spending time with loved ones can help lift your mood when you’re feeling depressed.

Join the Conversation

On myAMDteam, people share their experiences with age-related macular degeneration, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Has wet AMD impacted your mental health? How have you coped with vision changes? Let others know in the comments below.