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

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Self-reported vision difficulties affect a significant portion of the adult population.
• Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are prevalent public health concerns.
• Understanding the interplay between sensory impairments and mental well-being is crucial for comprehensive healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between self-reported vision difficulties and mental health diagnoses in a national adult sample.
• To investigate the relationship between vision problems and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• To explore the connection between vision status, eyewear use, and mental health treatment utilization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based analysis using 2022 National Health Interview Survey data.
• Inclusion of 27,640 adults with self-reported vision data.
• Multivariable regression models adjusted for sociodemographic confounders to assess primary and secondary outcomes, including mental health diagnoses, symptom severity, and treatment.

Main Results:

• Adults reporting vision difficulties showed significantly higher odds of anxiety disorders (OR=2.00) and depression (OR=2.31).
• Increased odds were observed for more severe anxiety symptoms (OR=2.67) and depressive symptoms (OR=2.90).
• Vision difficulty was associated with higher odds of receiving mental health medication (OR=1.71) or therapy (OR=1.71); similar associations were found for individuals using glasses or contact lenses.

Conclusions:

• Robust associations exist between self-reported vision difficulty and psychosocial well-being.
• Individuals with vision difficulties report greater severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• Enhanced collaboration between eye care and mental health professionals is recommended to address these interconnected health issues.