Mental health and vision difficulty in adults: a population-based analysis

To investigate associations between self-reported vision difficulties and mental health diagnoses in adults from a nationally representative sample.

A retrospective, cross-sectional population-based analysis.

Using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, we included adult participants who provided self-reported vision data. The primary outcome was the association between vision difficulty and anxiety or depression diagnoses. Secondary outcomes pertained to symptom severity and receiving medications or therapy. Additional analyses explored the relationships between mental health variables and eyewear use. Multivariable regression models were conducted, adjusting for sociodemographic confounders.

A total of 27,640 adults were included, of which 5 210 (19%) reported vision difficulties. Adults self-reporting vision difficulty had higher odds of an anxiety disorder (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = [1.82, 2.19]; p < 0.001) and more severe anxiety symptoms per the GAD-7 (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = [2.44, 2.92]; p < 0.001). Likewise, adults self-reporting vision difficulty had higher odds of depression (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = [2.12, 2.52]; p < 0.001) and more severe depressive symptoms per the PHQ-8 (OR = 2.90, 95% CI = [2.67, 3.15]; p < 0.001). Moreover, self-reported vision difficulty was associated with higher odds of taking medication for a mental health condition (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = [1.35, 2.16]; p < 0.001) and receiving therapy (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = [1.53, 1.91]; p < 0.001). Wearing glasses or contact lenses was largely associated with higher odds of the mental health variables studied.

There are robust associations between self-reported vision difficulty and psychosocial well-being, with individuals reporting vision difficulty more likely to report greater severity of anxiety or depressive symptoms. Similar associations were observed among individuals who wore glasses or contact lenses. Increased collaboration between eye care and mental health professionals is needed.