A comprehensive study of almost 10,500 US adults has shown an 11.3% prevalence of depression among subjects with self-reported vision loss, compared to a prevalence of 4.8% in the general population without vision loss. While an association between vision loss and depression has been previously reported, the relationship between the two has not been well studied leading to a desire to establish quality data on a national level that might subsequently facilitate more targeted medical care and referral services. The research, reported in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology (2013; 131 [5]: 573-581) provides evidence that a loss of functional vision (meaning actual task-related visual performance) is linked to depression and that an awareness of such among treating physicians should improve the rate of appropriate referral for the treatment of depression.
First comprehensive US study reports on relationship between vision loss and depression
- by swdadmin