In France, Age-Related Macular Degeneration ( AMD ) is the leading cause of visual impairment in people over 50, according to Inserm . This figure is even higher among older people: 25 to 30% of people over 75 are affected, a percentage that highlights the considerable prevalence of this disease in the population.

 

In the field of ophthalmology , AMD represents a major challenge for practitioners, because for patients, receiving such a diagnosis means much more than a simple loss of central vision . It is an emotional shock that disrupts everyday gestures.

 

But behind these challenges, concrete solutions, tailor-made support and ongoing support can make all the difference. And it is through you, as an ophthalmologist , that this becomes possible. By advising your patients with expertise and empathy, you help them access resources that change their lives: from visual rehabilitation to aids to the valuable work of associations. A better quality of life is possible thanks to your central role and an approach that does not stop at medical treatments.

 

The importance of comprehensive support in ophthalmology

 

As we previously explained, the diagnosis of AMD is the beginning of a long and sometimes difficult battle for patients. And you, as an ophthalmologist, are pillars of this battle. Of course, slowing the progression of the disease with effective treatments is a priority, but your impact can go far beyond that.

 

The real challenge? Offering your patients a living environment that allows them to adapt, while optimizing their residual vision. Because deep down, you know better than anyone: quality support does not stop at intravitreal injections or check-ups. It is continuous support, a commitment to them.

 

For your patients, central vision loss is just the tip of the iceberg. It is a cascade of upheavals: losing one's autonomy, no longer recognizing loved ones' faces, feeling vulnerable when moving around. These realities can deeply shake morale, giving way to anxiety and even depression. This is where a global approach makes sense.

 

Sharing clear, reassuring information about assistive devices and rehabilitation options can be a game changer. Practical techniques can help your patients adapt. For example, even if their central vision is compromised, they can relearn how to make the most of their peripheral vision . Empathetic support, personalized solutions, and tailored resources can provide a glimmer of hope. Because in reality, their journey doesn’t end with their limitations: it transforms with new ways of experiencing everyday life.

 

Referring patients to low vision specialists

 

Opticians specializing in low vision

 

After a diagnosis of AMD, it is necessary to guide your patients to specialized opticians . These experts do not just offer classic corrective lenses; they have real expertise in solutions that change the lives of visually impaired people. Electronic magnifying glasses, specific glasses , anti-glare filters… each device is designed to give patients a little autonomy.

 

And it’s not just a question of technique. Low vision opticians take the time to carry out personalized assessments, to understand each person’s needs and habits in depth. They offer solutions that integrate perfectly into everyday life, whether it’s reading a book, preparing a meal or using the computer. It’s support that brings possibilities back to life where patients thought they had lost them.

 

 

The contribution of occupational therapists

 

Occupational therapists are essential allies in transforming the daily lives of patients with AMD.

 

Their mission? Adapt the environment to compensate for visual loss, with creativity and expertise that can be a game-changer. They analyze everyday obstacles , such as a kitchen that is too dark or poorly contrasted objects, and propose ingenious solutions to make each space more accessible.

 

This can range from installing directional lights to illuminate specific areas to using tactile cues on household appliances. Organizing spaces in a practical and intuitive way helps reduce the risk of accidents and makes everyday tasks easier. Hand in hand with patients, occupational therapists bring a breath of autonomy and security into their lives.

 

 

Orthoptists support

 

Visual rehabilitation is a real boost that orthoptists can offer to patients with AMD. Through targeted exercises, they help to exploit peripheral vision more efficiently. Techniques such as eccentric fixation allow you to look away to better use the intact areas of the retina.

 

These sessions are not theoretical: they aim to improve very concrete activities, such as reading a text in enlarged characters or identifying objects around you as can be seen in the France 5 video below. Collaborating with orthoptists means offering patients a chance to adapt, regain confidence and feel more in control of their environment.

 

Together, you help give them the tools they need to live better with AMD.

 

 

Collaborate with patient associations

 

Why involve associations in the care pathway?

 

By referring your patients to associations , you offer them much more than advice: you connect them to a real community that understands their daily lives.

 

These support structures offer friendly support groups where life tips are shared, practical workshops for adapting to visual impairment and resources for better understanding AMD.

 

This helps break the isolation and provide moments of comfort. In short, these groups become anchor points for your patients, showing them that they are not alone in this ordeal.

 

Role of associations in awareness-raising and information

 

Associations are also true ambassadors of information and awareness. They share technological advances, new visual aids and practical arrangements that can transform patients' daily lives. They provide information on everything that can make life easier for people with AMD, while raising awareness among loved ones so that they become informed supporters.

 

These structures also fight to defend the rights of the visually impaired , working for more accessible cities, adapted equipment and better recognition of the needs of people with visual impairments .

 

Recommending these resources to your patients means giving them access to opportunities that give them back a measure of autonomy and confidence .

 

Coordination of care: key to successful support

 

Create a network of professionals around the patient

 

For patients with AMD, care should never seem like a journey strewn with pitfalls. On the contrary, it is the coordination between several experts that creates a real impact on their quality of life. And you, as an ophthalmologist, are the conductor of this care network! Working hand in hand with specialized opticians, orthoptists, occupational therapists and associations allows us to build comprehensive support .

 

When a team communicates regularly, nothing is left to chance. A check-up at an optician, for example, can reveal specific needs that will then be addressed by an occupational therapist to optimize the patient's home environment. Organizing multidisciplinary meetings , sharing consultation reports... each action contributes to creating a safety net around the patient, so that they feel supported at every stage.

 

It is a coordinated care strategy, where the objective is clear: to improve the daily lives of those living with AMD.

 

The benefits of a multidisciplinary approach

 

Working in a multidisciplinary team is not a fad: it is a revolution in the way we support patients. When all healthcare professionals join forces, the impact is immediate and tangible. While an occupational therapist adapts the home to make each room more accessible, an orthoptist works on visual rehabilitation to strengthen the patient's autonomy.

 

The result? Comprehensive care that restores security and confidence to people affected by AMD.

 

This approach also simplifies the life of professionals. Fluid communication between you, the ophthalmologist, and other low vision specialists helps avoid duplication and optimize the care pathway. Each intervention is then more targeted, more effective and, above all, more beneficial for the patient.

 

Towards sustainable and human support

 

As you will have understood, supporting a patient with AMD goes well beyond a diagnosis.

 

It is a long-term commitment , a promise to be there every step of the way to provide the most appropriate support.

 

Thanks to a multidisciplinary approach, where each specialist – ophthalmologist, optician, orthoptist, occupational therapist – plays a key role, it becomes possible to restore autonomy, comfort and even a certain serenity to people affected by this disease.

 

As an ophthalmologist, you have an extraordinary power: that of connecting your patients to the right resources, of opening the doors to solutions that will transform their daily lives. Support therefore never stops with medical treatments; it is a chain of solidarity and skills that redefines living with AMD. Offering a suitable living environment, encouraging rehabilitation and promoting autonomy are elements that transform an ordeal into a quest for better living.

 

Commitment to your patients, supported by effective collaborations, is what will allow them to get through this stage as serenely as possible. It is in this union of expertise that lies the strength of sustainable and human support.