Introduction: Vision is the most important sensorial part of the human information system. Visual loss leads to reduced ability to perform routine activities of daily living and can be a risk for stable mental health. Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess the incidence of depression in patients treated in an ophthalmological outpatient clinic. To our knowledge this is the first study of its kind in our country. Subjects and method:The number of evaluated patients was a hundred; mean age 41.6 ± 15.9 years, with different educational levels and common ophthalmological disorders. For the assessment of the level of depression the Beck Depression Inventory was used. Patients were divided into two groups: serious ophthalmological diagnoses where we expected psychological problems (N = 65) and the simplest ones (N = 35) as a control. Results: Obtained results show that the levels of depression correlate with the diagnoses. Patients in the first group (serious ophthalmological diagnoses) showed moderate depression in 12% and severe in 13% of patients. It was shown that the most depressed were the patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, as well as glaucoma and cataract. The second group showed BDI scores of normal values. The level of depression is positively correlated with age and the level of education (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Depression is an important mental problem in ophthalmological practice. It is usually unrecognized and untreated. Depression could be the risk factor for treatment and prognosis of eyes diseases. Some measures for mitigation of psychological problems are proposed.

Ophthalmological problems have a great influence on the quality of life, employment and everyday activities. In this context they are an important issue in the public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety, depression as well as type-A personality in a sample of 40 ophthalmological patients. The results obtained showed moderate anxiety, moderate depression, as well as different type of personality related to the diagnosis. Scores obtained for psychometric tests are related to the age, but not to the gender. Research confirmed that depressive symptoms and anxiety may not only aggravate symptoms of eye disease, but also affect other psychological systems forming a vicious circle. With a change of the medical model, medical professionals are placing an increasing emphasis on the mental health of patients. It is an imperative to introduce social measures for improvement of the health. These findings highlight an important mental health issue in eye disease patients.

Personality correlates in patients with eye diseases have bidirectional influence. It is possible that personality variables lead to behaviours that may influence the cause of eye problems, but the opposite is also possible, that eye problems could have a direct effect on personality. The aim of this study was to evaluate personality traits in patients with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataract using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Obtained results showed similar personality profiles in patients with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataract. However, extraversion and neuroticism were higher in patients with diabetes, while the psychopathic traits are the highest in the group of cataract. Age and gender of patients do not influence the scores obtained on the questionnaire confirmed with one way ANOVA. Not significant difference in parameters (tested with Student t-test) was obtained between groups. It is proposed psychological evaluation to be included in the assessment of more serious eye diseases for helping patients to adjust and adapt to the condition and treatment.