New Study Suggests Glaucoma is Linked to Depression
Glaucoma patients have a tenfold greater risk of developing depression than the general population, according to a recent study in Mexico.
Glaucoma, nicknamed “the sneak thief of sight,” is one of the world’s leading causes of vision loss. The disease can be challenging to diagnose because it rarely causes symptoms until permanent eye damage occurs. Advanced glaucoma can be a psychological and financial burden and cause significant stress. According to a study published in the Journal of Glaucoma, the severity of patients’ glaucoma correlates with how depressed they feel. Glaucoma severity can also influence patient compliance with glaucoma treatment plans.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a family of diseases characterized by optic nerve stress caused by spikes in inner eye pressure. More than three million Americans have glaucoma, but only half are aware they have the disease. The most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, can develop without pain or symptoms, and it can cause irreversible vision loss or even blindness.
Depressed Glaucoma Patients Are Less Compliant
The study examined 111 patients with glaucoma, and about half of the patients were depressed. The researchers found a direct relationship between the worse eye’s glaucoma severity and the severity of depression. Patients who were depressed were 38 times more likely to not adhere to their treatment plan than patients who were not depressed.
Other risk factors for depression among the glaucoma patients studied were:
- Age
- Gender (females were at higher risk than males)
- Low income
- Living alone
- Substance abuse
Researchers suspect patients with the most severe glaucoma may fall into a dangerous pattern. The associated depression with severe glaucoma may cause these patients to resist taking medication and attending eye doctor appointments, thereby exacerbating glaucoma and depression.
The study suggests patients with glaucoma should create a team of specialists, including an ophthalmologist, glaucoma specialist, psychiatrist and psychologist to produce the best outcome.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
Are you familiar with the risk factors for glaucoma? You may be at increased risk for glaucoma if you:
- Are 60 or older
- Are diabetic
- Are severely nearsighted
- Have a family member who has glaucoma
Take a moment to complete this Glaucoma Risk Assessment for more information on whether you are at high risk for the disease.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
Contact your ophthalmologist to schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam. During your exam, your ophthalmologist can perform a test to evaluate your inner eye pressure and let you know if you are at risk for developing glaucoma.
Optic nerve damage is permanent, so there is no cure for glaucoma. Therefore, it is imperative to detect the disease early and begin a glaucoma treatment plan. Early detection allows for immediate intervention to stop the progression of glaucoma. There are many treatments available to manage the condition, such as:
- Laser treatments
- Medication
- Traditional surgery
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)