Visual Rehabilitation and Depression in Visually Impaired Patients With AMD

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of visual rehabilitation in visually impaired patients with advanced AMD by the use of questionnaires on the anxiety and depression status. Study design: prospective observational study. The study is carried out at the IRCCS Fondazione G.B.Bietti and at the UO Visual Rehabilitation, S. Alessio - Margherita di Savoia. Study procedures: Visit 1 (screening visit, at IRCCS Fondazione Bietti) After signing the informed consent, all patients received a complete ophthalmological examination, non-invasive diagnostic tests as optical coherence tomography, autofluorescence and microperimetry, and have to complete the questionnaires on the state of anxiety and depression (GAD-7 and PHQ-9). Visit 2 (at the Sant'Alessio Institute) for a 60-day visual rehabilitation program scheduled in 5 group meetings. Visit 3 (end-of-study visit, at IRCCS Fondazione G.B. Bietti) complete ophthalmological examination, as per clinical practice, non-invasive diagnostic tests such as microperimetry, optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence and administration of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaires for depression and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaires for anxiety.