Right In Front of Your Eyes

Abstract

This literature review examines how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to higher rates of depression in elderly people. AMD causes pain and loss of independence as visual deficits worsen, increasing the severity of depressive symptoms. Despite the prevalence of mental illness in elderly patients with AMD, a medical research gap exists. Elderly patients with visual deficits are often excluded from depression studies. AMD-specific depression studies also lack diversity. Equitable research practices are necessary to determine generalizable, evidence-based practices. Additionally, faster depression screening of the elderly population through the use of a simplified Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), will expedite the treatment process given the limited resources of the current healthcare system. Then, problem-solving treatment (PST) could serve as a short-term preventative measure against depression in AMD patients while more accessible, inclusive mental health care is developed.