Visual Impairment and Mental Health: Unmet Needs and Treatment Options

Summary

An estimated 2.2 billion people are visually impaired worldwide. Given that age related vision loss is a primary cause of vision impairment, this number is projected to rise with increases in average lifespan. Vision loss often results in significant disability and is associated with a substantial economic burden, reduced quality-of-life, concurrent medical issues, and mental health problems. In this review, the mental health needs of people with vision impairment are examined. A review of recent literature on mental health outcomes and current treatments in people with visual impairment was conducted. In order to improve outcomes, a better understanding of the mechanisms linking visual impairment and poor mental health is needed. It will also be essential to develop more effective interventions and expand access to services to improve the detection and treatment of mental health problems in this population.