Scientists from Sightsavers and elsewhere found links between vision impairment and poor mental health.
They found that blind people aged 50 years and over are nearly four times as likely to have self-reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression than those with no vision impairment.
Individuals with severe vision impairment are almost three times as likely, and those with moderate visual impairment are twice as likely to report having mental health issues.
The research is published in International Health and was conducted by Selben Penzin et al.
Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a visual impairment, yet little is understood about the connections between eye health and mental health.
In the study, the team used data from vision impairment assessment data and Washington Group anxiety and depression-related questions, to estimate the association between vision impairment and self-reported anxiety and/or depression of nearly 4,000 adults.
It calls for more research to be done into the relationship between mental health and vision impairment, so they can be effectively addressed through appropriate strategies incorporated during the design of eye health programs.
The team says there’s a substantial mental health burden among people with vision impairment and that eye health shouldn’t be considered in a silo; vision plays a critical role in overall health and well-being.
The study also notes that the relationship between mental health and vision impairment varies by age and gender.
The probability of self-reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression is estimated to be more than four times higher among men with severe visual impairment or blindness and more likely as men age, compared to women with the same levels of vision loss.
Previous studies suggest factors contributing to the association between vision impairment and poor mental health include the impact vision loss can have on independence, isolation, poverty, and employment opportunities.
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If you care about eye health, please read studies that senior people need to pay attention to this dangerous eye disease, and vitamin B3 may help treat common blinding eye disease.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that sitting too much can harm your mental health, and results showing why people with depression cannot fight chronic stress.
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