Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can lead to loss of central vision. People with wet AMD may need help with daily tasks, managing their condition, and staying social.

There are various ways to help someone manage the symptoms of wet AMD.

The person may experience vision changes, such as:

  • central vision loss, or blurry or blank spots in the center area of their vision
  • difficulty seeing things in low lighting
  • straight lines looking crooked or wavy
  • colors looking less bright

These vision changes may get more severe over time, which can make it harder for them to complete certain activities. Changes in their vision or daily activities may affect their physical or mental well-being.

Read on to find tips for helping someone manage these changes.

Talk with the person with wet AMD to learn about their changing symptoms and needs. Ask how you can help them and whether there are certain symptoms or activities they find difficult to manage.

Try to work together to create a plan to manage the challenges they’re experiencing. Consider making a list of questions and concerns to discuss with their healthcare team. You can ask their healthcare team about strategies and resources to help manage their needs.

Listening to the person’s frustrations or concerns about vision loss may help them cope with the practical and emotional challenges of this condition.

Making adjustments to the person’s home may help them see objects in the home more clearly and move around the area more safely.

For example:

  • Increase lighting: Install brighter light bulbs, additional lamps, or other light sources to increase light in key areas such as reading spaces, stairways, bathrooms, and the kitchen.
  • Increase contrast: For example, install dark doorknobs on light-colored doors, position dark placemats under light-colored dishes, or mark steps with high-contrast tape to make them easier to see.
  • Clear pathways: Adjust furniture, remove clutter, and tape down or remove area rugs to create clear walking paths and limit tripping hazards.

Consider asking a low vision rehabilitation specialist to visit the home and recommend changes.

A variety of tools and devices are available to help people with wet AMD manage vision changes and do certain activities independently. Examples include:

  • Magnifying devices:
    • stand magnifiers, which are hands-free devices the person can position over books or other items
    • handheld magnifiers, which the person can hold over books or other objects
    • magnifying spectacles, which the person can wear for up-close activities
    • video magnifiers, which are electronic devices that create magnified images
  • Specialty eyewear:
    • anti-glare sunglasses with UV protection to limit glare and protect their eyes
    • yellow-tinted lenses to increase their ability to see contrast in well-lit areas
  • Large-print devices:
    • large-print books, newspapers, magazines, or playing cards
    • telephones, thermostats, remote controls, or watches with large numbers
  • Audio devices:
    • audiobooks
    • timers, watches, blood pressure monitors, or other devices with audible announcements
  • Smartphone or tablet apps:
    • virtual assistants or voice command apps, which respond to a person’s voice
    • screen readers or text-to-speech apps, which read out text on the screen
    • screen magnification apps, which increase the size of objects on the screen
    • object identification apps, which identify objects in photographs or videos

You can research low vision tools and devices online, ask the person’s eye doctor for recommendations, or help them connect with a low vision rehabilitation specialist who can recommend resources.

You can also help the person increase the font size and contrast levels on their smartphone or other electronic devices to make objects on the screen easier to see.

Vision changes can make it harder for people with wet AMD to complete daily activities, such as driving, shopping, preparing food, or doing household chores. Consider offering them help with these tasks. For example:

  • Errands: Offer to take them shopping or run errands with them. Stay close to them, in case they need help navigating the store or finding something. Grocery and pharmacy pick-up or delivery services may also help meet their needs.
  • Food prep: Help with snack and meal preparation by printing large-text recipes, chopping ingredients, or providing other assistance. The person might also find it helpful to buy precut ingredients, purchase ready-made meals, or use a meal delivery service.
  • Housework: Help with dusting, vacuuming, or other chores that require navigating the home or seeing objects up close. It might also help to hire a cleaning service.

Talk with the person to learn which activities they can do on their own or with assistance. For example, they might be able to fold laundry on their own but need help carrying it from one place to another.

The person may need to attend an eye clinic once a month or on the schedule that their doctor prescribes to get treatment for wet AMD, such as:

  • anti-VEGF injections
  • photodynamic therapy (PDT)

They may also need to attend other checkups with their eye doctor or other healthcare team members.

You can help them manage their medical needs by:

  • helping them brainstorm questions for their healthcare team
  • driving them to medical appointments or traveling with them there
  • taking notes and asking questions during their appointments if they want you present with them

Practicing healthy lifestyle habits may also help slow vision loss from wet AMD and support the person’s overall physical and mental well-being. Examples to encourage and help them may include:

  • taking steps to quit smoking, if they smoke
  • limiting their exposure to secondhand smoke
  • eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other nutrient-rich foods
  • getting regular exercise

Some health clinics or community centers offer exercise programs for people with low vision. Consider asking the person’s healthcare team or looking online for programs and resources that can help them stay active.

Their healthcare team may also prescribe medication to manage other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Consider setting reminders on the person’s smartphone or using other systems to help them remember to take prescribed medications.

Vision loss from wet AMD can limit a person’s ability to drive or travel to visit friends, attend social events, or participate in other activities. This can lead to social isolation.

Helping them stay socially active and connected may have benefits for their physical and emotional well-being. For example, this could involve:

  • offering to drive them to social activities or help them coordinate travel plans
  • encouraging them to invite friends or family members to visit them at home
  • motivating them to join a support group or community program for people with vision loss

You can also help them prepare for certain social activities ahead of time. For example, do they have difficulty reading menus? You can check online for restaurant menus and help them plan their order before eating out.

Watch for signs of social isolation or mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression. Encourage them to consider talking with their doctor about changes in their mental health. The doctor may refer them to a mental health specialist with experience supporting people with vision loss.

Caring for someone with vision loss can be challenging. You might find it physically or mentally challenging to take on certain caregiving tasks or manage your caregiving responsibilities as the person’s needs change. You might experience stress, grief, frustration, or other difficult emotions related to caregiving challenges.

Here are some strategies that might help you manage these challenges:

  • Talk with the person’s healthcare team to learn more about their condition, how it might change in the future, and how you can plan for those changes.
  • Connect with a low vision rehabilitation specialist who can help you and the person with wet AMD develop strategies and find resources to manage their needs.
  • Ask friends and family members to help with caregiving tasks or hire professional services to help with cleaning, food preparation, or other activities.
  • Schedule regular breaks and time away from caregiving to meet your own self-care needs and other responsibilities.
  • Make time for regular exercise, hobbies you enjoy, social activities, and other stress-relieving activities.
  • Join a support group for caregivers of people with vision loss.

You can also visit nonprofit organizations, such as BrightFocus, to find more tips and resources for caregivers of people with vision loss.

Consider letting your doctor know if you think you might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. They may refer you to a mental health specialist for support.

Wet AMD causes vision changes that can make it harder to do certain activities, including daily living tasks and social activities. These changes may lead to physical or mental health challenges.

If you care for someone with wet AMD, there are ways to support them.

Talk with them to learn about their specific symptoms, support needs, and goals.

You might be able to make changes to the lighting, furniture layout, or other aspects of their home to help them manage vision loss and reduce their risk of tripping or falling.

They might benefit from help with errands, food preparation, housework, or other daily living tasks. You might also join them at medical appointments, support them in making healthy lifestyle changes, and help them stay socially active in their communities.

Taking on caregiving responsibilities can be physically and emotionally challenging. Consider asking for help from others, such as friends, family members, healthcare professionals, or other professional support services.

Try to make time for your own self-care needs, including regular exercise, social time with loved ones, and other stress-relieving activities. Think about talking with a doctor if you’re feeling a lot of stress or think you might be having mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression. They may recommend counseling or other support services.