Hey y’all! Today’s collaborative post couldn’t come at a more perfect time. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a lot of things are tied into that like your vision.
Did you know that vision loss can impact mental health? As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s look at the impact of vision, specifically on overall wellness.
What does Low Vision Mean?
A term often used in this type of discussion is low vision. It refers to when you have a serious visual impairment that cannot be completely alleviated through contact lenses, eyeglasses, surgery, or medications.
This type of vision loss requires adjusting to everyday living, which is where mental health issues can come into play. Learning how to do daily activities in a new way is important, given the increased vulnerability to anger and depression. It can help maintain the feeling of independence.
Speaking Up about Vision Loss
While the relationship between impairments of the eyes and mental health is not new, it is a discussion that has only recently started to be spoken about publicly. Reasons for avoiding discussing the issue can include feelings of shame about personal vision loss and not wanting to draw attention to oneself.
Furthermore, clinicians cannot always tell if there is a sight problem. If you don’t have a seeing eye dog or use a cane, it’s often not immediately evident.
Research on Visual Impairments, Anxiety, and Depression
A recent study found that a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among those who stated they had vision impairments, as compared to those who did not. To see the increase for yourself, here are the results:
- Depression affected 31.2% of the vision impairment group, rather than 12.9% (no vision issues)
- 27.2% of those with vision problems reported anxiety symptoms, compared to 11.1% of the other group
Researchers found these results after the subjects took the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety. Furthermore, the research team noted a bidirectional link between self-reported vision impairment and symptoms of depression.
Meanwhile, anxiety symptoms came before the impairment (not bidirectional). Given the study results, one of the researchers’ recommendations was that eye care specialists screen for vision loss in those with mental health issues.
Why does This Connection Exist?
There are several possible explanations for the association between mental health and low vision. For example, let’s consider those who have glaucoma or cataracts.
These conditions, unfortunately, make daily activities like driving, walking, and using a computer more difficult than before. This difficulty can increase feelings of dependence on others, which can lower self-confidence.
Losing one’s sense of independence can trigger anger and fear, as well as depression. While you might assume that feeling sad is a part of aging and normal for adults, it’s not. Watch for signs of depression in loved ones to help provide them with the necessary supports.
It’s not only the elderly who are at risk of vision problems, either. Kids can also develop eye-related problems that compromise their ability to see clearly.
The youngsters can become frustrated as they struggle to complete homework, or see the chalkboard in the classroom. If their peers make fun of them or try to hide the problem, their emotional stability can be compromised.
How to Handle Vision Issues?
One of the best ways to help prevent mental health problems is to watch for signs that someone you care about has low vision. Take the time to educate yourself about the common symptoms in kids and adults.
For example, you may notice that your aging parent exhibits one or more of these problems:
- Cannot read street signs well anymore
- Have problems recognizing peoples’ faces
- Holds the book up close to their face when reading
- Not eating as much as usual
- Avoiding social activities
These examples are just some of the common signs of low vision. If you think that a loved one has low vision, encourage them to get an eye examination from an optometrist to verify that something is wrong.
Catching the problem early in this way can help you be there for the loved one during this scary time. Provide them with support to help prevent their spiraling into depression or becoming anxious.
As for what support looks like, it could be that you are there for them when they want to talk about how they’re feeling or that you take them to and from doctor appointments. Help them with tasks such as cleaning and cooking too, as they may not find it as easy to do as before.
Your method of support could even be as simple as putting the coffee pot on for you two to share a caffeinated cup at home. That’s just one of the ways to combat a bad mental health day.
Managing Low Vision
Thankfully, there are many low vision aids available to those who need them to help improve their quality of life. Using these devices can help an individual stay positive about their future, rather than feeling sorry for themselves or lashing out in anger or fear.
A few popular devices to help boost visual performance are:
- Handheld magnifiers
- Voice command software on computers
- Large print on tablets
- Special eyeglasses, eyeglass lenses, and lens coatings
As well, the eye doctor is likely to create a treatment plan for you or someone else with sight issues. Surgery and medications might be options, depending on your unique case.
Vision therapy is also helpful for some people. The special exercises focus on improving visual performance.
Other Ways to Promote Good Mental Health
Being social can go a long way toward maintaining strong mental health, especially when there are changes in vision. If you are struggling with your eyesight, reach out to those around you about how you’re feeling to close friends and family.
Remember that you’re not alone. Just as you would help those who you love, they will be there for you too. Talking about the problem now can help you figure out how to treat the issue best before it gets even more serious, so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life.
There are also support groups available to those who have vision impairments. The meetings can be in person or online, depending on what you are comfortable with for attendance. The friendly environment provides:
- safe space to share your feelings
- Hear how others deal with their problems
- A way to combat feelings of loneliness
- A place for you to help those who are in a similar situation
The solutions you use will depend on the vision issue you have, as well as personal preferences.
Final Words on Vision and Mental Health
During Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, help stop the stigma associated with mental illness. Sharing your experiences with how low vision has impacted your quality of life, as well as what helps you, can provide hope for someone struggling.
Ways to encourage other people during this special month and throughout the year include sharing positive messages on social media and speaking with local community groups about your mental health challenges. Share your successes and raise important points about the stigma surrounding the invisible illness.
Finally, don’t let low vision keep you indoors. Instead, show the world that you have a lot more living to do by joining a social club, getting out with friends, and seeking a doctor’s help. Avoiding getting assistance professionally and from loved ones isn’t being strong; instead, it takes strength to ask for help.
Those who care about will be glad you reached out to them and want to assist in any way they can; that’s what friends and family do best! They will feel honored that you’ve asked them for support.
This post was a collaborative effort – please check out my disclosure policy page for more details.