Vision is necessary for many daily tasks, and when you have enjoyed good vision for most of your life, it is easy to take for granted. However, for those who are experiencing vision loss and disease, their vision can begin to have a significant impact on their mental health.
The connection between vision and emotional well-being is a well-documented phenomenon. Learning about this connection can help you to maintain your mental health and quality of life as you seek treatment for eye disease.
How are Emotional Well-being and Vision Connected?
Vision loss or impairment can have a significant emotional impact on individuals. Adjusting to changes in visual abilities, coping with limitations, and adapting to new ways of doing daily tasks can be challenging. Finding and working with an eye doctor can assist with the physical changes and treatments, but there are emotional hurdles to overcome with a vision-related diagnosis.
The necessary adjustments can lead to rising levels of emotional distress, including feelings such as sadness, frustration, or anxiety.
Therapists and Counselors can play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate these challenges and develop coping strategies.
How Can Vision Impairments Impact Mental Health?
Vision impairment can bring many changes to a person’s lifestyle. Challenges such as social isolation, emotional distress, and reduced independence can significantly impact an individual’s mental health.
Social Isolation
Studies have found that across all age groups, the rates of loneliness are higher in the visually impaired population when compared to the general population.
According to the American Psychological Association, social isolation can have far-reaching effects on an individual’s mental health. Isolation and loneliness can have detrimental impacts on a person’s physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive function, such as:
- An inability to get adequate amounts of sleep
- A decline in cognitive function
- A weakened immune system
- A higher risk of mental health conditions such as depression
For those struggling with visual impairment, there can be factors that limit their ability to interact with others regularly. A lack of transportation, difficulty navigating new spaces, and increased amounts of doctor’s appointments can limit the amount of time a person with visual impairment spends building relationships and connections with others.
Emotional Distress
A diagnosis of an illness that causes pain, discomfort, visual impairment, or blindness can cause emotional distress in patients. They are faced with the knowledge that their vision may deteriorate to a point that greatly impacts their ability to live independently. For some, there is the knowledge that someday their vision will be completely gone.
This knowledge, and the emotional and psychological stress that it causes, is completely understandable. Some individuals initially cope with the stress by living in denial. For others, the distress caused by vision impairment presents as feelings of grief and loss.
With the help of trained mental health professionals, such as therapists and counselors, individuals facing a vision-related diagnosis can work through their distress in healthy ways.
Reduced Independence
Visual impairment can cause reduced independence and limit an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. These limitations will depend on the type and severity of vision loss and can include:
- Reading: Visual impairment can impact a person’s ability to read. This limits their ability to easily manage their finances, follow recipes and cook for themselves, and other tasks. Tools such as Braille and audio apps allow visually impaired individuals to read without using their eyes, but there may still be limitations on a person’s independence depending on the tools available to them.
- Moving: Driving and bicycling around town require visual abilities that not everyone has. For people who are recently visually impaired, tasks such as running errands and visiting friends may require the help of others. Even moving around a home can be risky, with an increased risk of falls and accidents for older visually impaired individuals.
- Working: Visual impairment may limit a person’s employment opportunities due to a lack of transportation, lack of training, and negative responses from possible employers. In some cases, this can lead to a loss of financial independence.
When a visually impaired adult begins to experience reduced independence, this can impact their mental health. Studies have found that a limited ability to perform tasks associated with personal care can largely affect mental health and, as a result, quality of life.
Understanding Unique Mental Health Challenges for Vulnerable Populations
When looking at the mental health challenges faced by those dealing with vision loss and eye disease, it is important to consider the challenges specifically faced by vulnerable populations.
Children and senior citizens with eye disease deal with challenges specific to their age.
Children
Children dealing with conditions impacting their visual health face a variety of challenges, including:
- Academic challenges
- Bullying and stigmatization
- Developmental delays
Children with visual impairments need to receive support from adults in their lives. These adults, including parents, teachers, counselors, and doctors, can assist children as they learn the skills needed to live a good, quality life.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens living with visual impairment also deal with challenges specific to their age, including:
- Safety concerns
- Cognitive decline
- Increased dependency
It is important to note that several conditions that seniors commonly live with, including diabetes and high blood pressure, can negatively impact a person’s eyesight.
The Relationship Between Stress, Depression, and Anxiety and Eye Diseases
While eye disease and visual impairment can impact mental health, there are also many ways that mental health conditions can contribute to eye disease.
Stress, depression, and anxiety increase an individual’s risk of developing eye disease, and they can also worsen the symptoms of a pre-existing eye disease.
Stress and Eye Diseases
Chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to the development of certain eye diseases and can exacerbate symptoms. Conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and dry eye syndrome may be influenced by stress. Some eye-related symptoms caused by stress include:
- Eye strain and fatigue
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eye twitching
Managing stress in healthy ways may have a positive impact on eye health. Working with a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist, can help you to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress.
Depression and Eye Diseases
Depression impacts every facet of a person’s life, so it is no surprise that it can have an impact on visual health in many ways.
Conditions such as dry eye can be caused by depression and can also cause depressive symptoms. People with depression may spend more time in front of screens, which can worsen dry eye symptoms. Conversely, the physical discomfort and limitations caused by dry eyes can worsen depressive symptoms.
Studies have found that one-third of older adults who are visually impaired are living with depression, which is twice the rate found in the general population. For this reason, it is important for visually impaired people to reach out for mental health counseling if they are experiencing symptoms of depression.
Anxiety and Eye Diseases
Anxiety is experienced by more than 31% of adults. This condition can have various effects on vision during anxious episodes and panic attacks. Some ways that anxiety can impact eye health include:
- Blurred vision
- Tunnel vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye strain and dry eyes
Seeking assistance from a therapist can help to improve your ability to cope with panic attacks and can limit the visual impact they have.
Treatment for Vision Loss and Diseases
After a diagnosis, a patient needs to pursue treatment for vision loss and eye diseases when possible. By working with trusted medical professionals and taking charge of your visual health, you can become proactive instead of reactive, preventing further vision loss.
Consult an Eye Care Specialist
If you suspect that you are experiencing vision loss or eye disease, then your first step should be to consult an eye care specialist. Eye doctors are trained to identify and treat diseases and conditions of the eyes.
Before you make an appointment, conduct research online to find a well-reviewed eye doctor in your area.
Discuss Treatment Options and Ask Questions
After your eye doctor diagnoses your condition, you’ll need to discuss treatment options. Your doctor may suggest options such as medication or surgery.
As your doctor outlines your treatment options, ask questions such as:
- What are the side effects of the medications you are recommending?
- What are the risks associated with this surgery?
- If my condition is incurable, what positive impact will these treatment options have on my quality of life moving forward?
- Are these treatment options affordable? What financial impact will these treatments have?
Asking clarifying questions can help you to make an informed decision and feel confident in your healthcare plan moving forward.
Seek Second Opinions
Getting a second opinion is a fantastic way to learn more about your condition and your treatment options. In some cases, your eye doctor may refer you to another doctor who specializes in your specific condition.
You can also request a second opinion if you want to make sure that your diagnosis is correct or to learn more about alternative treatment options.
Follow the Treatment Plan
Once you have chosen a treatment plan, you will need to follow that plan. Be careful to follow all of your doctor’s instructions exactly, including any medications, hygiene practices, and changes to your daily habits, such as time spent staring at screens.
By following your chosen treatment plan as closely as possible, you can make the most of the treatments you are receiving.
Monitor Your Eye Health
Even after your treatment, it is important to remain aware of your eye health and monitor any changes that occur. Some changes, like a decline in vision, may be anticipated based on your diagnosis.
As you move forward, take notes about the severity and frequency of any eye-related symptoms, and don’t hesitate to discuss these with your doctor.
Support and Accommodations
Reaching out for support and accommodations can reduce your stress as you work with your eye doctor to monitor your eye health. If you are a parent or guardian, and your child’s recent check-up showed signs of vision loss, you can also benefit from additional information, support, and accommodations. Some options include:
- Vision rehabilitation services
- Support groups
- Assistive technology
- Accessibility services and accommodations
- Vision loss organizations and foundations
- Rehabilitation centers and hospitals
These tools and resources can help you and your loved ones as you seek treatment for your eye disease. They can also help as you learn to live with vision loss. The above options may differ depending on where you live, but your eye doctor can help you find the support you need.
Additional Resources for Vision Loss
If you or a loved one are experiencing vision loss, there are resources available to help you through this difficult time. These resources include:
- American Foundation for the Blind: The foundation offers resources for adults who are new to vision loss, including lists of healthcare providers, tips for daily lifestyle changes, and support as individuals adjust to life with vision loss.
- The Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: This organization provides educational services for blind and visually impaired individuals. These services include Braille lessons available online and via mail and a video series detailing the ways technology can help individuals with visual impairment.
- American Council of the Blind: This organization offers an accessible, monthly newsletter offered in Braille and as a podcast. They also offer scholarships for legally blind students to attend college or university.
These organizations provide resources that can help those who are blind or visually impaired live full lives, learn new skills, and build a community.
Additional Resources for Mental Health
If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health condition, there are resources available online that can provide support in a crisis. You can also learn more about your mental illness and learn about treatment options.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: This organization offers a mental health hotline, resources for those coping with mental illnesses, and information about recovery and support.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: This organization provides help with finding mental health treatment, access to peer support groups, and free webinars and articles outlining options for therapy.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: The alliance offers a helpline, support groups, and online resources to help educate people about mental illness and options for treatment.
These resources can help blind and visually impaired individuals to improve their emotional well-being and cope with the stresses that they may be facing as a result of their eye health.