Research suggests early intervention with low-vision aids can reduce the severity of depression related to vision loss in people with age-related macular degeneration, according to a Medscape News report.
The small pilot study was presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Twenty-two patients aged 65-85 were split into two groups: those who received immediate intervention and those who waited three months before starting rehabilitation.
At baseline and after three months, patients were tested using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Both scores for the early intervention group decreased. The average CES-D score decreased from 8.8 at baseline to 6.1 at three months, and the average GDS scored decreased from 4.4 at baseline to 4.0 at three months. Both scores increased in the control group. The average CES-D score increased from 8.0 at baseline to 10.9 at three months, while the average GDS score increased from 3.4 at baseline to 4.2 at three months.
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The small pilot study was presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Twenty-two patients aged 65-85 were split into two groups: those who received immediate intervention and those who waited three months before starting rehabilitation.
At baseline and after three months, patients were tested using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Both scores for the early intervention group decreased. The average CES-D score decreased from 8.8 at baseline to 6.1 at three months, and the average GDS scored decreased from 4.4 at baseline to 4.0 at three months. Both scores increased in the control group. The average CES-D score increased from 8.0 at baseline to 10.9 at three months, while the average GDS score increased from 3.4 at baseline to 4.2 at three months.
Related Articles on Ophthalmology:
Study: Playing Video Games Could Improve Cataracts in Young Patients
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