Association between visual status and mental health status in Thai rural elderly: a community-based study

To evaluate the association between visual impairment (VI) and mental health or social engagement in older adults living in rural Thailand.

Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from a community survey conducted in 2015 in Saraburi Province, Thailand. Participants were 327 adults aged ≥50y. VI was assessed using presenting distance visual acuity. Mental health and social engagement were evaluated in face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires. After determining the prevalence of VI and relevant sociodemographic characteristics, multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of VI on mental health and social engagement.

The prevalence of VI was 18.3%. Major causes were refractive error (58.3%) and cataract (35%). Factors associated with VI in the crude analysis were: older age [odds ratio (OR) 8.08], unemployment (OR 2.72), widowhood (OR 2.47), being divorced/separated (OR 3.27), smoking (OR 2.09) and disability in activities of daily living (OR 2.35). Protective factors were undergoing eye screening at least once a year (P=0.029) and obesity (P=0.005). VI was significantly associated with low social engagement (adjusted OR 4.13) but not with poor mental health (P>0.05).

Although VI older adults reported less participation in social activities, there is no significant association between VI and poor mental health. Annual eye examinations may prevent VI in older adults. Information about employment and anti-smoking should be targeted to older adults with VI.