Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Irreversible Vision Loss: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: Approximately 295 million individuals globally live with moderate to severe irreversible vision loss, primarily due to conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vision impairment diminishes quality of life leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety. This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with irreversible vision loss, with a comparative analysis across the conditions of AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases, supplemented by manual searches of conference literature. Results: The prevalence of depression in patients with irreversible vision loss was found to be 21% (95% CI: 0.17-0.26) among 76 561 patients, with variations based on the cause: 27% (95% CI: 0.19-0.35) in AMD, 48% (95% CI: 0.32-0.64) in diabetic retinopathy, and 23% (95% CI: 0.16-0.29) in glaucoma. Anxiety prevalence was 22% (95% CI: 0.15-0.30) among 25 616 patients. Conclusion: The high prevalence of depression and anxiety underscores the need for comprehensive healthcare approaches that incorporate mental health support, including vision rehabilitation, psychotherapy, pharmacological interventions, and lifestyle modifications. Future research should explore factors that protect against anxiety and depression, as well as address the long-term effects of vision loss treatments on mental health outcomes.