Age-Related Macular Degeneration Makes Recognizing Faces Difficult

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a condition in which the retina becomes severely damaged. It impairs a person’s central vision causing everything to appear blurry.

People with AMD often have difficulty reading faces as a result of their condition because they are not able to properly focus on internal features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Study: AMD Patients Struggle with Facial Recognition

Researchers used a sophisticated technique that allowed them to make microscopic movies of the interior of the eye. They then studied these movies to see the movement patterns of the eyes and ascertain exactly where AMD patients were focusing as they looked at a face.

The findings were compared with a control group of patients without AMD to determine the AMD patients’ differences in perception.

Findings and Potential Treatment for AMD Patients

The AMD patients were more likely to have fixations on external facial features. This is in contrast to those in the control group, who were more likely to focus on the internal features of the face. The AMD group also had an abnormality in eye movement patterns.

Promising Treatment Options

The authors of the study concluded that training in eye movement control and allocation of attention could improve face perception in individuals with AMD:

• Training individuals with AMD in eye movement control involves teaching them to use healthier parts of the retina, improving saccadic movements to scan faces more effectively.
• Attention allocation training helps them focus on key facial features and process multiple features simultaneously.

Practical approaches include computer-based programs and therapist-guided sessions, with consistent real-life practice enhancing these skills. These strategies could significantly improve face perception, visual function, and quality of life for individuals with AMD.

Evaluating Age-Related Macular Degeneration

If you or a loved one living in central New Jersey has AMD, contact Dr. Scharfman’s office for an evaluation. We regularly work with AMD patients to help live more comfortably with this persistent eye condition.