Poor Eyesight Affects Mental Health: Here’s What You Can Do to Improve It!
Poor eyesight may not be a big deal for some people. After all, they can still do daily tasks and function normally, even if their vision is blurry.
Unfortunately, vision impairments can affect some people’s mental health, resulting in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, people with moderate vision impairments are twice as likely to report having mental health issues. In contrast, those with severe vision impairments—such as partial vision loss—are three times as likely.
These mental health issues stem from an individual’s insecurity, lack of independence, and inability to perform tasks. Some types of eye impairment may impact how light regulates our circadian rhythms and therefore lead to disorganized sleep patterns or poor sleep quality.
These impairments and their effects on mental health can worsen when left unaddressed. Fortunately, there are a few ways to improve this:
Get prescription eyeglasses
One of the most common ways to address vision problems—such as poor eyesight and myopia—is by wearing prescription eyewear. These eyeglasses manipulate light to focus on the retina in the eye, allowing for clearer vision. Wearing these enable you to complete everyday tasks, minimizing feelings of anxiety due to lack of independence. You may also customize your eyeglasses by adding blue light lenses that reduce eye strain and help you sleep better.
Getting prescription glasses is convenient today, making it easier for those who may find it difficult to go to physical stores due to limited vision. You can order them online as long as you can provide your prescription. When ordering your eyeglasses, check their measurements to know if they’ll fit you or request assistance.
Try contact lenses
Contact lenses have a similar function as eyeglasses, though they’re worn directly on the eye’s surface. Aside from correcting your vision via prescription, many types of contacts have different purposes. For example, Orthokeratology lenses are hard contact lenses that temporarily change the shape of the cornea, benefiting nearsighted individuals. Meanwhile, sclera lenses rest on the white part of the eye to help heal damaged corneas.
These products are a more convenient option for people who can’t wear glasses due to their job or preference. Just make sure to regularly clean your contacts to avoid eye irritation.
Undergo vision rehabilitation
Besides corrective eyewear, you can undergo vision rehabilitation. This process will help you make the most of your daily life and improve its quality. It can give you skills and resources to increase confidence, independence, and trust, helping reduce anxiety and depression. Some services offered under this are transportation, access to assistive products, and independent living skills training.
People who qualify for vision rehabilitation include those with genetic diagnoses that render them mildly, moderately, or severely impaired. Even the blind can undergo vision rehabilitation.
Join a support group
Even after using corrective eyeglasses and contacts, undergoing vision rehabilitation, and even going through surgery, some people have permanent eyesight issues that they’ll have to live with. If you’re in this situation, it’ll help to have a group of people to support you, including those in similar circumstances. Joining a support group for visually impaired people can provide emotional support and an avenue to share your feelings regarding your situation, alleviating anxiety and depression when you see that you’re not alone.
Some groups you can join are Eye2Eye—a free phone-based peer support program offering emotional support, assessment, and referrals—and The International Low Vision Support Group, a global network of support groups maintained by the Macular Degeneration Support organization.
While poor eyesight and visual impairments can cause mental health issues, finding ways to address and overcome them to improve your quality of life is essential. Wear prescription eyeglasses and contacts, try vision rehabilitation, and join a support group.
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