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Irreversible vision loss associated with poor mental health, quality of life

Irreversible vision loss had negative effects on patients’ quality of life and mental health, including greater levels of depression during adjustments, according to study data.

Huga Senra, PhD, of the Centre of Psychology at the University of Porto in Portugal, and colleagues culled data from 3,948 peer-reviewed journal citations, and examined 52 studies published between 1946 and 2014.

Longitudinal data demonstrated that coping strategies, less use of emotionally-focused coping, greater use of instrumental coping, greater acceptance, compensatory secondary control strategies and seeking social support led to better adjustment to irreversible vision loss, the researchers wrote.

Cross-sectional data were similar to longitudinal studies; suggesting that patients who accepted their vision loss as being irreversible and other coping strategies adjusted better to their vision loss.

However, patients who experienced vision loss due to diabetes, demonstrated poorer outcomes, including overprotective social support and higher levels of loneliness.

Feelings of shame, trust, isolation and helplessness were negatively associated with psychological well-being in a cross-sectional study. Conversely, positive avoidance was positively associated with wellbeing among working age adults with vision loss, according to researchers.

Older adults with macular degeneration also reported poorer self-satisfaction and social support, and greater stress, according to study data.

“Intervention and rehabilitation programs that target patients’ mental health, coping strategies, and social support early in the adjustment to [irreversible vision loss] may prevent long-term emotional distress and ultimately improve quality of life in adults with [irreversible vision loss],” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.