From the Guidelines
Vision symptoms can significantly impact mental and social health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and social isolation, and a multidisciplinary approach including proper vision correction, assistive technologies, counseling, support groups, and rehabilitation services is essential to address these challenges. Individuals with vision impairments often experience difficulties with daily functioning and interpersonal connections, which can lead to withdrawal from social situations and diminished self-confidence 1. The inability to recognize faces, read expressions, navigate environments independently, or engage in previously enjoyed activities can create a cycle where reduced social interaction further impacts mental health, potentially leading to clinical depression requiring treatment with medications like SSRIs or therapy 1.
Some key points to consider include:
- Increased risk of falling and hip fractures due to vision loss 1
- Activity restriction due to fear of falling and increased social isolation 1
- Increased mortality and earlier admission to nursing homes 1
- Increased use of community services and risk of errors in self-administering medications 1
- Negative impact on psychosocial function, particularly in patients with early glaucoma 1
- Importance of psychological supports, such as peer support groups, to alleviate fear, frustration, loneliness, depression, and/or anger in patients with vision loss 1
To address these challenges, a comprehensive care approach is crucial, including proper vision correction, assistive technologies, counseling, support groups, and rehabilitation services that teach adaptive strategies. This approach can help individuals with vision impairments to maintain their independence, participate in daily activities, and improve their overall quality of life 1. Additionally, ophthalmologists should provide information about rehabilitation resources to patients with vision loss and aim to optimize patients' reading, daily living activities, safety, participation in their community, and psychosocial well-being despite vision loss 1.
From the Research
Vision Symptoms and Mental Health
- Vision loss can impact quality of life, independence, social functioning, and overall health, as stated in the study 2
- Conditions such as acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, and optic neuritis can cause sudden vision loss and have a significant impact on mental health
- The study 3 highlights the importance of recognizing systemic conditions and medications that increase a patient's risk of glaucoma, which can lead to permanent vision loss and affect mental health
Vision Symptoms and Social Health
- Vision loss can affect social functioning, as mentioned in the study 2
- The study 4 discusses the use of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) in treating anxiety and depression, which can be related to vision symptoms and social health
- However, there is limited direct evidence on the impact of vision symptoms on social health, but it can be inferred that vision loss can lead to social isolation and decreased social functioning
Treatment and Management
- Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering intraocular pressure, as stated in the study 3
- The study 5 provides a concise review of ophthalmic emergencies, including acute angle closure glaucoma, optic neuritis, and retinal detachment, which can have a significant impact on mental and social health
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in supporting the treatment of anxiety and depression, as mentioned in the study 4 and 6, which can be related to vision symptoms and mental health