Age-related macular degeneration: treating the whole patient.

Ophthalmologists can help to improve the quality of life for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by treating the whole patient. Patients should be encouraged to seek psychiatric care for depression, especially if symptoms are persistent. They may also cope better with their vision loss by participating in AMD support groups. For earlier diagnosis of AMD, patients at high risk should be screened; if large drusen are present, nutritional suggestions can be made. Until treatments to prevent vision loss or to restore vision are available, these approaches provide optimal care.