Cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. And, according to Chinese researchers Haifang Wang, Hong-Peng Sun, Pei Wang, Yong Xu, and Chen-Wei Pan, older adults with cataracts are more likely to have symptoms of depression. The study, “Cataract and Depressive Symptoms among Older Chinese Adults” was published in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science, the official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. [Read more…]
The Link between Vision Loss and Depression
According to a new study published in the March 7 edition of the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, individuals with depression are more likely to have self-reported vision loss. After analyzing 10,000 adults over the age of 20 who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2008, taking a number of factors like age, sex and general health into consideration, researchers determined there was a significant association between self-reported vision loss and depression. The rate of depression was calculated to be about 11% among people with self-reported vision loss and about 5% among those who did not report vision loss.
“This study provides further evidence from a national sample to generalize the relationship between depression and vision loss to adults across the age spectrum,” said Dr. Xinzhi Zhang, of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and his colleagues in a JAMA Ophthalmology journal news release. “Better recognition of depression among people reporting reduced ability to perform routine activities of daily living due to vision loss is warranted.”
The study did not show if vision loss or depression causes the other.
Comprehensive Ophthalmic Eye Exams from the Anne Arundel Eye Center
Preventing vision loss and preserving your sight begins with regular eye exams by your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Let us help you too! We offer comprehensive ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. The Anne Arundel Eye Center and its caring staff are dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
If you have any questions about our blog, “The Link between Vision Loss and Depression,” or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
Source:
Vision Loss and Depression may be linked WebMD