The Role of Season, Sunlight, and Light Sensitivity in Self-Reported Depressive Symptoms by Adults With Visual...

Depression is common in people with visual impairment, and the onset may be influenced by aspects related to light. The aim was to explore the associations of season, sunlight, and light sensitivity with depressive symptoms in this population.

Data regarding self-reported depressive symptoms from seven cross-sectional studies conducted between 2009 and 2018 were combined with information concerning sensitivity to light, season on the date of self-report, and potential sunlight exposure in the 2 weeks prior to self-report. The latter was calculated by summing up the daily sunlight hours detected by the weather station nearest to the residence of each participant. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations.

Participants (N = 1925) experienced clinically significant depressive symptoms most often in winter (32.8%), followed by summer (27.4%), spring (26.2%), and fall (24.2%). The odds of experiencing depression in fall were significantly lower compared with winter (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, P = 0.007). An increase in the hours of sunlight in the participant's environment was associated with lower odds to experience depressive symptoms (OR = 0.995, P = 0.011). People who were sensitive to bright light had higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (OR = 1.80, P < 0.001). Other differences found between subgroups were not consistent.

It seems likely that season, sunlight, and light sensitivity play a role in depression among people with visual impairment. Further research is needed, exploring the experiences in this population, the actual sunlight exposure using objective measures, and treatment options.

Clinicians should consider these factors when treating visually impaired patients with depressive symptoms.