The World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 billion people worldwide experience nearsightedness, farsightedness, or another form of vision impairment. In almost half of those cases, vision loss could have been prevented — or hasn’t yet been treated.

Vision problems share strong links to mental health. People with a degree of vision loss are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. In many cases, this mental distress is due to feelings of loneliness, fear, and insufficient support.

Fortunately, many people with vision loss never experience mental health challenges. Peer support, proper coping strategies, and professional healthcare allow visually challenged people to live happy, healthy lives.

Common vision problems

General vision impairment (GVI) — a lack of clear vision without corrective devices — can occur for many reasons. For example, some vision problems happen naturally over time. Others appear due to illness, injury, age, or other factors.

Here are a few common vision problems:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): When aging damages the macula, blurring central eyesight and making it more difficult to see objects right in front of you.
• Cataracts: Clouded eye lenses that fade colors, blur vision, and create additional light sensitivity.
• Glaucoma: Incurable eye condition where optic nerve damage causes gradual vision loss, then blindness.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Damaged retinas that cause floating spots or other forms of vision loss in people with diabetes.
• Refraction problems: Issues with eye shape that cause errors in the way people process light in the retina.

Age-related problems are by far the most common form of vision loss. Pupils shrink, lens clarity decreases, and visual discrimination grows worse — all signs of age-related vision problems. Protect your eyesight as you grow older by visiting eyesight professionals and treating conditions proactively.

Common mental health issues

Mental health problems can affect millions of people, regardless of their income, social status, or ethnicity. They impact a person’s thoughts and emotions, often in negative ways that require treatment or professional support. In some cases, people with vision problems are four times more likely to develop mental health challenges.

Here are a few common mental health issues:

• Depression: A mood disorder and illness that affects an estimated 5% of people worldwide. It creates feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and decreased interest in enjoyable activities. People with AMD have an increased risk for developing depression or depressive symptoms.
• Anxiety: Heightened feelings of fear, tension, or worry caused by a rush of hormones. Physical anxiety symptoms often include sweating, shaking limbs, and an accelerated heartbeat. Some studies link vision loss with elevated feelings of anxiety and stress.
• Bipolar disorder: Mood shifts that affect concentration and activity levels as a person transitions between periods of emotional highs and depression. Some research suggests a correlation between vision problems with contrast and bipolar disorder.
• Schizophrenia: Breakdowns in thought that create confusion between thought and reality. Symptoms of schizophrenia often include some combination of psychosis, delusion, and social withdrawal. Some people with schizophrenia also experience visual hallucinations that might impact vision quality.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental condition, often found in young patients, where hyperactivity prevents focus and social participation. Refractive errors and other vision problems are sometimes more common in people with ADHD.

Vision loss is connected to many mental health problems. See a healthcare provider if you suspect mental health problems, vision problems, or a correlation between your symptoms.

How vision can affect mental health

Research consistently demonstrates that vision loss can affect mental health. One in four people with GVI had some degree of related psychological distress. People with GVI also have a higher chance for developing psychological distress at a later time. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are also more common in individuals with vision impairment.

The same social isolation that results from vision loss can contribute to depression. Vision loss can also compromise your ability to live independently. A loss of independence is strongly linked with mental health challenges, particularly in older adults.

Vision impairment influences far more than mental health. People with vision problems may also have an elevated risk of injury or accidents. Problems with eyesight can also damage cognitive function, impair memory, and limit what people can accomplish without help. All of these factors can quickly degrade someone’s quality of life.

How mental health can affect vision

The relationship between vision and mental health works both ways. People with mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, demonstrate an increased likelihood for vision problems.

Shared symptoms could help explain the link between mental health and vision. Both groups of health challenges share conditions like inflammation, discomfort, and hormonal imbalances. Both are also heavily influenced by stress. Lifestyle factors like exercise frequency, sleep patterns, and diet can also influence vision and mental health.

Kid’s vision impairment and mental health

Vision problems represent one of the most common disabilities for children today. Nearly 3% of children have some form of visual impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 6.8% of children have an eye or vision condition of some kind. Many of these cases are treatable or preventable with the right type of care.

Vision loss can strain mental health in children. They may experience depressive disorders, mood problems, sleep disorders, or other problems as a direct result of vision impairment. Feelings of self-doubt from vision loss can further damage a child’s ability to socialize.

While adults deal with their own concerns, vision issues in children are particularly impactful. Unlike adults, children with vision problems are affected by ongoing physical and mental development. Many children are not prepared to cope with the emotional effects of vision problems, which can include depression and anxiety.

Tips for coping with vision problems

Visiting an eye doctor is the first step in addressing vision problems. Eye doctors will examine symptoms and identify a treatment plan for any vision conditions.

For any related or unrelated mental health problems, schedule an appointment with a therapist or counselor. Mental health professionals are uniquely qualified to counsel patients through cognitive, mental, or behavioral challenges.

Lifestyle changes can also help adults and children take better care of their health. Here are a few tips to prioritize vision or mental health at any age:

• Get regular check-ups and eye exams.
• Consume a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise daily, even if it’s a simple walk or a yoga break.
• Build relationships with friends, family members, and loved ones.
• Take regular breaks from phones, computers, and other screens.
• Protect your eyes and skin from sun exposure.
• Find opportunities every day from life’s activities and stressors.

These suggestions shouldn’t replace regular visits to an eye doctor or counselor/therapist. Instead, supplement professional medical help with positive lifestyle changes.

For kids

Children can learn to prioritize visual health at a young age. Here are a few things children and their parents can do to manage any visual impairments:

• Keep regular eye appointments.
• Spend time in communities where other children have vision impairments.
• Learn how to use supplementary technology that improves vision, hearing, and other senses.
• Research family medical history to identify any chronic vision or mental health conditions.
• Participate in safe activities at home and at school that build confidence and accommodate vision problems.
• Find and use helpful resources that help children with special needs thrive despite vision loss.

It’s important to visit a health specialist if your child displays signs of vision loss. Look for squinting, light sensitivity, or difficulty concentrating. Children might also rub their eyes, hold items close to their face, or refuse to participate in certain activities if they have vision problems.

For adults

Vision loss and mental health are closely-linked health conditions. In the same way that you might identify vision problems, it’s important to consider your own mental health needs.

Here are a few ways adults can care for their vision and mental health:

• Visit regularly with eye doctors and mental health professionals.
• Avoid smoking, which has been linked to vision issues like cataracts.
• Spend time away from phone, computer, tablet, and television screens.
• Explore the outdoors around the house.
• Eat fruits and vegetables while avoiding excess alcohol or sugary foods.
• Reduce depression and anxiety symptoms through regular exercise.
• Consult support groups if you face vision problems or mental health struggles.

It’s also important to stay aware of how vision can change with age. Consider corrective solutions like reading glasses or surgery to relieve a variety of age-related vision conditions.

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