Cataract can cause depression in elderly
Older adults with cataracts — clouding of the normally clear lens of the
eye — are more likely to have symptoms of depression, independent of lifestyle
factors and visual acuity, a study has found. The vision loss might cause older
adults to become isolated and withdrawn and delve deeper into depression, which
might make them less likely to seek treatment for cataracts, the study said.
The findings showed that symptoms of depression were more common in women than men.
Older adults with low levels of education were likely to have a 50 per cent
increase in depressive symptoms than those who were highly educated.
There was no difference in depressive symptoms between the elderly with
cataracts in one eye versus both eyes. “Our study sheds further light on the
complex relationship between ageing, vision loss, cataract, and depression and
suggests that there may be a role for cataract surgery in improving mental
health in the elderly,” said Haifang Wang, from Soochow University in Suzhou,
China. Age-related cataracts are the leading cause of visual impairment
worldwide and are expected to increase as population demographics shift towards
advancing age.
For the study, the team included nearly 4,600 older adults (60 years or older)
from China. The participants also underwent a clinical eye examination to
rate the presence and severity of cataracts. “These results suggest that
optometrists and vision care professionals should think beyond the direct
effects of cataracts on visual impairment. We should also consider the broader
impact that vision loss may have on mental health and well-being,” the
researchers said. The study is published in the journal Optometry and Vision
Science.
05.12.2016
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