Rehabilitation Methods for Patients with Geographic Atrophy due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Effects of Rehabilitation on Quality of Life

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the low vision rehabilitation methods and to investigate the effectiveness of visual rehabilitation on quality of life in patients with low vision with geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods Seventy-eight well-sighted eyes of 78 patients with geographic atrophy due to ARMD were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, eye examination findings, low vision aid methods chosen for near and far distance of patients were recorded. Fifty eight patients using a low vision aid device were named as the rehabilitation group, whereas 21 patients who never used the device were named as the control group. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) was applied to all patients at the initial examination and at least 6 months after the visual rehabilitation/or initial examination. Results In the rehabilitation group, statistically significant increases were found in the overall composite score, general vision, near and distance activities, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, and dependency subscale scores of the NEI-VFQ-25 quality of life scale after low vision rehabilitation (p = 0.009 general vision, p < 0.001; for others )In the control group, there was no statistically significant change in any of the overall score and subscales of the quality of life scale. Conclusions Low vision patients with ARMD-related geographic atrophy should meet with low vision rehabilitation methods as soon as possible and should be included in low vision rehabilitation programs.