Take control of your mental health

Being diagnosed with macular disease can affect more than just your sight. Many people often underestimate the impact that living with a degenerative eye condition can have on your emotional well-being too.

As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches (11-17 May 2026)  we revisit some of the top tips from Suzanne Roberts, one of the Macular Society’s counsellors on how to look after your mind.

Be kinder to yourself

“Try not to be so hard on yourself. Ask yourself, how would you treat or respond to a friend in the same situation? Generally, we are a lot kinder.”

There’s always something you can do

“There’s always something you can do. Quite often people will say I’ve got this diagnosis and there’s nothing I can do. But, even things such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting out, connecting with others, not smoking, and protecting your eyes from sun means that you are doing something.”

Stay in the present moment

“Try to slow your minds down and stay in the here and now. So if you find your mind racing to ‘what’s going to happen in five years’ or all of the ‘what ifs’ bring yourself back to today and try and delay the worry and focus on what you do know.”

Challenge your thoughts

“Ask yourself, are my thoughts factual or is this just my opinion? When we’re feeling low or feeling anxious, we tend to think that our thoughts are factual, but often they’re not. So try and challenge your thinking.”

Seek support from low vision services

“Ask your GP or optician for a referral to your local low vision clinic as here you should be able to try out lots of different visual aids. And, experiment with lighting.” Suzanne added: “Lighting can make a huge difference in terms of what we can and can’t see.”

Use trusted information

“If you feel the need to Google your diagnosis, make sure you stick to the trusted websites there’s lots of helpful information out there but remember it’s generalised and not given to you by someone actually looking at your eyes. Not everything you read will be appropriate to your condition as it’s about you and you are unique.”

Get help for ongoing anxiety or low mood

“Speak to your GP if you have feelings of anxiety or low mood that is having an impact on you day-to-day and is not shifting.”