Psychologic Adjustment to Irreversible Vision Loss in Adults

Summary

To summarise relevant evidence investigating the psychologic adjustment to irreversible vision loss (IVL) in adults. So far, no study has systematically reviewed the psychologic adjustment to IVL in adults. 52 selected studies published between 1946 and 2014 were selected. Majority of the studies were observational and cross-sectional. Better adjustment to IVL was associated with greater acceptance of vision loss and use of instrumental coping, good social support, positivity, and use of assistive aids. The overall findings indicate that IVL often has negative effects on patients’ quality of life and mental health and that such effects tend to remain over time. Specific factors and variables associated with the adjustment to IVL need to be clarified through further in-depth and longitudinal research.