Depression and experience of vision loss in group of adults in rehabilitation setting: Mixed-methods pilot study

Abstract

Abstract-There is a paucity of literature regarding the relationship between the experience of vision loss and depression. Therefore, the current pilot study aimed to explore whether significant differences existed in levels of depression between adults with different vision loss experiences. A group of adults aged between 20 and 65 yr old with irreversible vision loss in a rehabilitation setting was interviewed. Semistructured interviews were conducted in order to explore patients' experience of vision loss. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess depressive levels; 39.5% (n = 15) of patients met CES-D criteria for depression. In addition, higher levels of depression (p < 0.05) were identified in patients whose interviews revealed greater selfawareness of impairment, inadequate social support, and longer rehabilitation stay. Current findings draw attention to variables such as self-awareness of impairment and perceived social support and suggest that depression following vision loss may be related to patients' emotional experiences of impairment and adjustment processes.

Experience of Anti-VEGF Treatment and Clinical Levels of Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…However this is possibly explained by the fact of the great majority of our patients did not have visual impairment and therefore they were not likely to suffer from vision-related disability which my triggers depression (25)(26)(27)(28). Social support has been described as playing an important role in patient experience of illness and depression (31,32). Most of patient carers them did not report experience of burden while being carers of someone with wAMD.…”

“…Patients recently diagnosed with wAMD can therefore have that expectation of going blind. Previous qualitative and mixed-methods studies on adults with serious vision disorders suggested that the fear of further vision loss and blindness can be an important source of emotional distress (32,51,52), which can ultimately lead to depression (32). In light of this, patients at early stages of anti-VEGF treatment might be at higher risk of having depression due to their fear of going blind because of wAMD.…”

Conceptual skills in persons with visual impairment

“…With regard to the life period when vision loss occurred, personal characteristics, requirements of the environment and their job, people with visual impairment experience difficulties in certain selfdirection aspects. On the other hand, unpredictability related to the impairment and future state of vision is one of more significant stressors which influence psychosocial adaptation of persons with acquired visual impairment (Kef, 2002) Senra et al, 2013), while people with congenital visual impairment often do not have the opportunity to learn how to make decisions on their own and become independent. This probably influenced the fact that no difference in self-direction was determined between persons with acquired and congenital visual impairment.…”

Individuals With Visual Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders: Recommendations for Counselors

“…Counselors must also assess clients' perceived social support, which can be a mediator for mental health concerns (Senra et al, 2013). Finally, activities of daily living and clients' wellbeing must be considered when counseling clients with visual disabilities and SUDs (Senra et al, 2013). Once the counselor attends to the adjustment to blindness concerns, sobriety can be maintained (Helwig & Holicky, 1994).…”