Research highlights the link between vision problems and mental health in children.
Children with nearsightedness experience significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than their peers without vision problems, according to a new study.
In the study, published in Ophthalmology1 and sponsored by the nonprofit organization Orbis International, the researchers also found that surgery to correct strabismus significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in children.
The study “builds our understanding of the link between visual impairment, strabismus and children’s mental health,” Orbis said in a news release.two While there is a large body of work focused on the impact of visual impairment on depression and anxiety in adults, studies investigating mental health in visually impaired children are few and have not previously been reviewed in this comprehensive way. noted the press release.
“Resilient mental health is an important requirement for children to thrive. As we see from recently published research findings, this can be negatively affected if a child is visually impaired,” said Nathan Congdon, director of research for Orbis International. .
“With this research, Orbis has for the first time assembled the kind of compelling evidence that can help propel governments to take action on children’s vision. These results are all the more compelling because the strongest evidence we found on the impact in mental health it was among children with nearsightedness, which can be treated with a simple pair of glasses,” added Congdon.
The researchers found that the mental health of visually impaired children may be negatively affected because they tend to participate in fewer physical activities, have lower academic performance and are more socially isolated.
In addition, common vision conditions such as strabismus can also negatively affect children’s development and maturation, “affecting not only their appearance, which in turn can affect their confidence and feelings of social belonging, but also their ability to perform certain activities and your mood. mind,” Orbis said.
The researchers reviewed nine electronic databases through February 2021 and found that children with vision problems experienced significantly higher scores for depression (Standard Mean Difference [SMD]0.57) and anxiety (SMD, 0.61) than children with normal vision.
Children with myopia experienced higher depression scores (SMD, 0.59) than children with normal vision. Strabismus surgery significantly improved symptoms of depression (SMD, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.12-1.06) and anxiety (SMD, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.24-1.14) In children.
The research has “profound implications” for health care planners as they allocate resources and design interventions to slow vision decline, according to Orbis.
For example, in some countries, strabismus surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and is excluded from insurance coverage, forcing families to pay out of pocket. “These barriers could deter patients of low socioeconomic status from seeking treatment and keep the mental health benefits of corrective surgery out of reach. More accessible eye care treatments will improve children’s mental health and overall well-being,” said Orbis.
Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to explore the impact of public health measures for myopia correction on children’s mental health, the researchers noted.
References
1. Li D, Chan VF, Virgili G, et al. Impact of visual impairment and ocular morbidity and their treatment on depression and anxiety in children: a systematic review.Ophthalmology. Published online May 31, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.05.020
2. A new study finds that visually impaired children are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Press release. Orbs International. June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-finds-children-with-vision-impairment-more-likely-to-suffer-from-depression-and-anxiety-301570006.html
