The Impact of Depression on Functioning in Elderly Patients With Low Vision

The authors examined the interrelationships between low vision, depression, and functioning in older adults. Seventy patients over age 65 attending a low-vision clinic were interviewed by a geriatric nurse-practitioner, using a structured clinical format to diagnose depression according to DSM-III-R criteria. In all, 38.6% of patients met criteria for major depression. There was no association between depression and severity of visual impairment, but a direct relationship was found between depression and functional impairment. Depression was the most powerful variable associated with functional impairment (adjusted R² = 0.20; P < 0.0001). Depression frequently co-occurs with visual impairment in this population. Appropriate recognition and treatment may reduce functional disability and improve quality of life.