The association of vision loss and dimensions of depression over 12 years in older adults: Findings from the Three City Study

Summary

This study explores the vision-depression relationship using a dimensional approach. 9036 participants aged 65 years and above enrolled in the Three-City study were included. Relationships between baseline near Vision Impairment (VI) or self-reported distance Visual Function (VF) loss with trajectory of four dimensions of depression – depressed affect, positive affect, somatic symptoms and interpersonal problems - over 12 years were examined. : In the fully adjustment models, mild near VI predicted poorer depressed affect (b = 0.04, p = .002) and positive affect (b = −0.06, p < 0.001) over time, with evidence of longer term adjustment. Distance VF loss was associated with poorer depressed affect (b = 0.27, p ≤ .001), positive affect (b = −0.15, p = .002), and somatic symptoms (b = 0.18, p ≤ .001) at baseline, although only the association with depressed affect was significant longitudinally (b = 0.01, p = .001). Neither near VI nor distance VF loss was associated with interpersonal problems. Vision impairment in older adults is primarily associated with affective dimensions of depression. A reduction in social connectedness and ability to engage in pleasurable activities may underlie the depression vision relationship. Older adults with vision impairment may benefit from targeted treatment of affective symptoms, and pleasant event scheduling.