Many people diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) experience emotional and practical challenges that may seem overwhelming at times. Support groups for wet AMD can provide numerous benefits to improve your quality of life and help ease the psychological and day-to-day adjustments that may come with vision loss.

“Our vision is so important to us. Never did I think I would have wet AMD. Let’s all hope for more treatments that will help us. And stay involved with myAMDteam for support. I know how helpful it is for me,” a member wrote.

Another member said, “My father also had wet AMD. I have all three types: wet, dry, and GA [geographic atrophy]. I am glad to find a support group. I am a 79-year-old retired electronic engineer, and was devastated by my recent GA diagnosis.”

How Support Groups Work

Support groups bring people together who have common experiences so that they can share their stories and support each other. Some support groups for people with wet AMD or visual impairment may be led by someone who also has vision loss. A support group might also be led by a family member of someone with vision problems, a social worker, a nurse, or someone who works in vision services, such as vision rehabilitation.

Some support groups might be specifically focused on emotional support, while others might be focused on education. Some may do both. Support groups may meet in person, or they may be online, such as myAMDteam. Support groups are usually open to family members, caregivers, and friends who want to better understand the needs of someone with vision loss.

Here are some of the reasons you or a loved one with wet AMD may want to participate in a support group for people with vision impairment.

1. A Support Group Can Help You Feel Less Isolated

Connecting with others in a support group can help you feel less alone or isolated. Vision loss from wet AMD can change your ability to work and do things you enjoy. You may find that you’re spending less time with other people or maybe you feel alone because other people don’t understand your experience of losing vision. In fact, research has shown that people with vision loss experience loneliness in greater and more intense ways than the general population.

“Since my low vision and AMD began, I have found ways to compensate. As a writer, it is murder, but still, I soldier on! So glad not to be alone in this adventure. I hope to get better at communicating in this group,” a myAMDteam member shared.

“I’m so glad not to be alone in this adventure. I hope to get better at communicating in this group.”

— A myAMDteam member

Someone else wrote about the combination of aging and vision loss, saying, “I'm so lucky to have the support here at home and online. As we age, we lose friends and family and have to deal with those emotions and adapt to this new reality.”

A support group can help provide social support and can be a place to make new friends.

“I’m so lucky to have the support here at home and online. As we age, we lose friends and family and have to deal with those emotions and adapt to this new reality.”

— A myAMDteam member

2. You Can Express Your Feelings in a Support Group

You may have a range of feelings about wet AMD. It’s difficult to face the possibility of vision impairment and how it might affect your life and sense of self. Fear and grief are common emotions among people with wet AMD and can cause depression and anxiety. You may be grieving the loss of vision, or scared about losing vision.

“My eyesight isn’t great, but I can still see in good light, and my fear is losing my driver’s license due to night blindness. I am also a professional visual artist and depend on my eyes for a living,” a myAMDteam member said.

Someone else wrote, “I am so scared right now. The uncertainty is what’s causing my anxiety. I am constantly checking my eyesight at home.”

Another member said, “I’m suffering from depression because of my eyesight.”

Fear and grief are two common emotions among people with wet AMD, that can cause depression and anxiety.

Having a place where you can be open about your feelings can be a relief. Hearing how others have coped with the emotional difficulties of vision problems may help you feel like you are in a safe place to talk about your feelings. Studies have shown that people with AMD who participated in various types of group support sessions experienced significant improvement in feelings of psychological distress.

If depression or anxiety are interfering significantly with daily activities, talk to your doctor about a referral for mental health counseling.

3. Support Groups Can Provide Useful Information

A support group can be a good place to share knowledge and resources. By talking with others about topics such as experiences with doctors, central vision loss, low vision aids like magnifiers, apps, or devices for vision-impaired people, vision rehabilitation, and tips for managing daily life, you may gain helpful insights about living with wet AMD.

With more knowledge, you can talk to your doctor with greater confidence about your condition. You can also gain an understanding of what to expect and learn more about practical adjustments for activities like driving, cooking, or creating a safe home environment.

“It is good to talk with others who have been diagnosed with macular degeneration. I read books and look up information to see what to expect. I am here if you want to chat,” a myAMDteam member wrote.

4. Support Groups Encourage Self-Care

Talking with others who understand what you’re going through is a good way to get self-care tips. You might discover new ideas to help you feel your best, both mentally and physically, by learning what has worked for others. It can be easier to take advice from people who have experienced vision loss and understand the same challenges you’re facing.

“I think people with normal vision don’t really understand what’s going on here,” a myAMDteam member wrote.

Another member said, “Always here to listen and give the best advice that I have experienced.”

5. Your Outlook May Improve With a Support Group

When you realize that other people with vision loss have found ways to stay positive, it can help with your outlook. There may be times when it’s hard to stay hopeful. But talking to others who are optimistic may help keep your mood up about the future.

One myAMDteam member wrote, “I also have glaucoma and macular degeneration. I try to eat healthy and exercise. I also try to keep a positive attitude. Hope this helps. We’re all in this together when it comes to living long enough to have these issues to deal with. Smile every day! 😊”

How To Find a Support Group

If you’re looking for a support group, you may want to start by talking to your eye doctor and health care team. They may know of support groups for people with wet AMD. Even if you can’t find a support group just for macular disease, groups for people with vision loss can still be helpful. These groups may include people with wet or dry AMD as well as other eye conditions.

Support groups for people with vision loss are offered by nonprofit organizations, rehabilitation organizations, and organizations that advocate for people with vision impairment. Here are some resources for finding a support group that’s right for you:

• The Macular Degeneration Society has a list of organizations that support people with vision loss.
• The Lighthouse Guild offers a range of tele-support groups, including a virtual book club for people with visual impairment.
• The Braille Institute offers both in-person and online support groups for people with vision problems.
• The American Printing House for the Blind has a directory of support groups across the United States.
• The BrightFocus Foundation has a monthly support group on Zoom for people with AMD.

Find Your Team

On myAMDteam, the social network for people with age-related macular degeneration and their loved ones, more than 2,700 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with AMD.

Have you participated in a support group for people with wet AMD or vision loss? What were the benefits for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.