Clinical management of age-related macular degeneration: room for improvement

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the single most common cause of blind registration amongst the elderly population in the Western world. The majority of patients with AMD have untreatable disease, whilst the minority who do have disease amenable to laser photocoagulation have a better visual prognosis the earlier treatment is performed. This study was designed to assess the clinical management of AMD in the United Kingdom from the patients' perspective, so locating areas for improvement. One hundred and fifty-eight completed postal questionnaires of 200 originally distributed randomly to members of a self-help group, the Macular Disease Society, are reported. One hundred and five ophthalmic units were attended, nearly half recently (i.e. first attendance by patient within the past 4 years). Only 6% of patients received any written information on AMD. Satisfaction with Low Visual Aid (LVA) clinic appointments and LVA use was high, but patients' opinions on the value of regular hospital attendance was conflicting. A structured management plan in which education plays an integral role provides the opportunity for optimum care for AMD patients with both treatable and untreatable disease.