AIM: To investigate the difference of cognitive impairment and depression between age-related macular degeneration(AMD)group and the control group patients.

METHODS: A prospective case-control study was performed from November 2014 to August 2016 in the hospital for AMD patients and sex-matched control group. The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and the Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS)score of each patient were collected for statistical analyzing.

RESULTS: There were total 84 cases(168 eyes)included in the study. The difference of visual acuity between the two group was statistically significant(F=8.953, P=0.004)by baseline data analyzing. There were no significant differences in MMSE scores between the two groups according to educational status(P>0.05), while the prevalence of cognitive impairment in each group was statistically significant(χ²=4.14, P=0.042). The difference of GDS scores, prevalence of total and mild depression between two groups were both statistically significant(F=5.852, P=0.018; χ²=6.372, P=0.012; χ²=5.674, P=0.017). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of moderate to severe depression(χ²=0.672, P=0.412).

CONCLUSION: AMD patients have a higher prevalence of depression. Although MMSE score differences were not statistically significant in subgroup analysis by educational levels, AMD patients are more likely to have cognitive impairment overall.