The link between low vision and mental health
It could be tough to keep up with daily life when people can’t see well. Find out how impaired vision can affect people’s moods and ways that may help prevent feeling down.
Low vision may sound like something that can be corrected, but the opposite is true.
It happens when vision is so impaired that it can’t be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, surgery or medication. It may make reading, driving, watching TV or movies, distinguishing colors and even recognizing faces very hard.1
Many eye diseases and conditions may make eyesight worse. This includes age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. Injuries and neurological conditions to the brain or eyes may also cause low vision.1
These eye conditions tend to affect adults the most. In fact, there are 12 million Americans over age 40 that have some kind of vision impairment, including low vision. That includes 4.2 million people who cannot correct or improve their eyesight.2
Vision loss can affect a person’s mood as well as their eyes. It may lead to depression and anxiety,3 and those mental health issues can affect treatment.
“We have to keep the mental health aspect in mind when treating patients,” says Karen Squier, O.D. She’s chief of low vision services at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in low vision. “As an optometrist, I might prescribe a magnifier, but if someone has unmanaged depression, they may not be motivated to use it.”
Luckily, there are ways to help protect mental well-being. Read on to discover the connection between eyesight and mental health, as well as what may be done to lower the risk of depression and anxiety.
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Why might vision problems affect mental health?
“People who lose their vision go through a grieving process,” says Dr. Squier. Their feelings of loss can be like the grief people feel when losing a loved one. It’s no surprise either. Changes in eyesight may affect how a person goes through their daily life, she says.
“When we talk about vision loss, it’s a loss that can be incredibly difficult to adapt to,” says Dr. Squier. That means people may have trouble performing everyday chores and tasks.
Difficulty performing chores and tasks could affect a person’s job and other activities they find meaningful. When a person has to make changes in their daily life as a result of low vision, it may be challenging to both them and their family members.
“We see some patients, maybe they were the primary caregiver in their family, the breadwinner or the driver. Then they have vision changes and they are no longer the person everyone can depend on. That’s a huge shift in family dynamics and can lead to difficulties in the family,” Dr. Squier explains.
Poor eyesight can also affect a person’s social life, leading to feelings of loneliness. “They may not feel comfortable leaving their home,” says Dr. Squier.
All those changes may lead to anxiety in people with poor eyesight, and untreated anxiety could raise their risk of developing depression.3
How to spot the signs of depression and anxiety
In a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 adults with vision loss reported feeling depressed or anxious. Younger adults with vision loss had almost 5 times the risk of serious anxiety or depression, compared with adults ages 65 and older, who may have better developed coping skills.3
The symptoms of anxiety include:3
- Constant trouble controlling feelings of worry
- Feeling irritable
- Problems sleeping or paying attention
- Restlessness
The symptoms of depression include:3
- Eating too much or too little
- Feeling exhausted all the time, even after sleeping well
- Feeling sad, anxious or helpless
- Lack of interest in activities or hobbies
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How patients with low vision may take charge of their mental health
The best way to cope with the mental health fallout of low vision is to focus on improving quality of life. A good way to do that is to visit an eye care provider.
“We as optometrists don’t treat depression,” Dr. Squier says. “You’ll hear more about quality of life with vision loss. We look at goals and what they can improve. We will refer patients with depression and anxiety to appropriate medical professionals, like psychiatrists or psychologists.” (Those are mental health professionals that could help treat anxiety and depression.)
Eye care providers may recommend a wide range of solutions for poor eyesight. That may include special prescribed devices such as:4
- Electronic (video) magnification
- Assistive technology
- Magnifiers (handheld, stand or spectacle-mounted)
- People who face challenges to their eyesight may also learn ways to travel more independently, reduce falls, and perform daily tasks such as going to the bank, cooking or grocery shopping.
An eye care provider may refer people with vision loss to other health care professionals. For instance, an occupational therapist could help with independent living skills training, including new ways to tackle chores and other activities around the house.
A physical therapist could recommend exercises and new ways for people with low vision to stay fit. They may also suggest other professionals who could help, including social workers, therapists and support groups.
A mental health therapist could give counseling through individual or group therapy. This can provide emotional support and assist with the acceptance of living life with low vision.
How people with low vision could boost their mood
Besides getting help from an eye care provider, people with low vision could also take charge of their overall health. There’s a connection between overall health, eye health and a healthy mind. Here are some things that a person could help control.3
- Managing any chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. That means seeing a provider and taking medications regularly.
- Moving as much as possible. Regular physical activity may reduce stress and improve your mood. It may be hard to get exercise when you can’t see well, but even walking across the room with a cane, walker or assistance from a caregiver may help. So could chair yoga or lifting light weights while seated.
- Trying healthier habits, such as eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and since smoking is bad for your eyes and heart, stop if haven’t already.
A person with low vision doesn’t have to experience low moods or poor mental health. An eye care provider could help improve the quality of life for all their patients, whether they see well or not. The key is for people to be honest with them and talk about what they are experiencing.
Looking for a new eye care provider? Search the UnitedHealthcare Vision Network now.
Sources:
- Low vision National Eye Institute, last updated November 2023. Accessed January 19, 2024.
- Fast facts about vision loss Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed August 2023. Accessed January 19, 2024.
- Vision loss and mental health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last updated September 2021. Accessed January 19, 2024.
- Low vision and vision rehabilitation American Optometric Association. Accessed January 19, 2024.
