Eye Disease and Mental Health

Given the physical and social harms of blindness and eye disease, there is a well-established link between poor eye health and mental health. Below are some of the primary effects of eye disease on mental health.

Depression

From a review of literature on visual impairment and mental health, it is clear that vision loss is consistently associated with depression.  Vision loss remains a substantial predictor of depression, even after age, gender, financial strain, and social support are controlled for.

One of the major causes of blindness is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with prevalence estimates ranging from 10% among people aged 65 to 75 to 30% among those aged 75 and older. Thus, it is a large cause of disability in older people, lowers patients’ quality of life, and is a risk factor for depression. “Until recently, the emotional impact of AMD was rarely addressed, leaving patients with few options for coping. Fortunately, there has been a recent interest in the psychosocial consequences of AMD and blindness in general, and this research underscores the extent of the disability caused by eye diseases”.

Anxiety

Vision loss is not only associated with depression, but it can also increase feelings of anxiety, further preventing individuals from caring for themselves and others. Eye disease increases the likelihood of social withdrawal, isolation, falls, and medication errors.  Furthermore, “progressive vision loss can be associated with a syndrome of hallucinations which, although benign, can be disturbing to patients. ”Emotional reactions to vision loss can include psychological distress, and older persons with visual impairments are more likely to be institutionalized. In fact, loss of vision is one of the most feared results of aging.

Social Withdrawal

Vision impairment may also have negative psychosocial consequences that affect everyday life.  This must be taken into consideration in research and practice.  A loss of vision constitutes more than a physiological loss, as it substantially impairs day-to-day routines and leisure time.  Vision loss may lead to general impairment of mental health which renders individuals unable to work or pursue activities that were previously of interest. 

Visual impairment is likely to affect mobility and access to social contacts.  Social isolation, disengagement, loneliness, and loss of social support may result.   However, continued social support may be an effective buffer against the consequences of vision loss and the negative effects of stress caused by visual impairment. It is important for family members and communities to understand eye disease and eliminate any associated stigma that can further worsen social isolation.

The Power of Medical Intervention

There is a misconception that vision is less important in old age and should be expected as part of the ageing process. In fact, this is not the case. Research has shown that cataract surgery has a far-reaching impact on the quality of life for the elderly. Further, restoration of vision that accompanies most cataract operations reduces both psychiatric and somatic symptoms.

Following cataract surgery, many individuals are able to once again engage in productive activities such as business, farming, or maintaining the household.  In addition, many experience an increased level of independence after surgery, better communication ability, and stronger social relationships.

As these examples show, in the absence of medical intervention visual impairment can have a negative impact on mental health and quality of life. These effects range from practical issues regarding daily activities to a subtle influence over psychological well-being.  The significant physiological and psychological benefits of surgery reveal the power of available treatment to transform lives.

This post originally appeared in Unite for Sight.