Using Low Vision Aids in Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Age Related Macular Degeneration: A Review of the Literature

Background and Age related macular degeneration is the most common cause of sever visual impairment and blindness among adults over the age of 65 years in developed countries. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on using low vision aids in age related macular degeneration and their effects on their quality of life. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus and Ovid databases was conducted to identify suitable articles published until April 2015. The search keywords included: age related macular degeneration combined by optical low vision aids, non-optical low vision aids, quality of life, preferred retinal locus, telescope, and microscope. Finally 76 articles were selected. Previous studies showed that age related macular degeneration can have profound effect on an individual’s quality of life, psychological wellbeing and ability to carry out daily tasks such as driving, face recognition, reading and so on. Although new medical treatments have improved AMD’s prognosis, but vision related disability remains a major problem and the majority of the treated patients do not regain their lost vision. So, optical devices could be used as alternative treatments to help these patients and improve their visual performance. Different low vision aids such as Implantable Miniature Telescopes are designed to help the involved patients. Many studies that were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these systems indicated the potential benefit of optical devices for patients with age related macular degeneration in improving their quality of life.