The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recently published a clinical update titled The Challenge of Mental Health in Glaucoma in its EYENET Magazine. It highlights the connection between glaucoma and mental health.
If you address your emotional well-being, can you improve your quality of life? And potentially impact progression of glaucoma? Below are the key learnings from the update:
- How Glaucoma Affects Mental Health
- Glaucoma can make people feel worried or sad, and it can lower their quality of life. This happens because people often fear losing their vision or independence.
- Feeling stressed or upset can also make glaucoma worse over time. Studies suggest stress might affect eye pressure, which is important in managing glaucoma.
- Why Glaucoma Can Be Stressful
- Scary Diagnosis: Being told you have glaucoma can be frightening. Many people worry about going blind or needing help from others for daily tasks.
- Daily Reminders: Using eye drops multiple times a day can feel like a constant reminder of the disease.
- Isolation: Vision problems might make people afraid to go outside or do things they enjoy. This was made worse for many during COVID-19, when social connections were disrupted.
- How to Feel Better While Living with Glaucoma
- Relaxing and Meditating: Research shows that relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation may help lower eye pressure.
- Learning About Glaucoma: Joining support groups or reading trusted resources can help you feel less alone and more in control.
- Getting Extra Help: Low-vision services can provide tools and strategies to make everyday life safer and easier. They can also connect you with social services for extra support.
- Talking to a Doctor: If you feel very worried or sad, a mental health professional can provide help and strategies to improve your mood and well-being.
- Trusting Your Eye Doctor
- Visiting the same doctor over time helps build trust. This can make it easier to talk about your concerns and feel supported. Many people find comfort from being heard and understood.
What You Need to Know
Taking care of your glaucoma means looking after your eyes and your feelings. If you’re feeling worried or down, let your doctor know. There are lots of ways to get help and feel better. You’re not alone in this journey.
Learnings for Health Professionals
Healthcare providers should recognise that glaucoma is more than a physical condition. It can affect a patient’s mental well-being. Addressing anxiety, stress, and depression in glaucoma patients can improve their quality of life. And may even help slow disease progression.
The clinical update from AAO suggests that professionals consider holistic care approaches. This includes discussing mental health openly. It says to refer patients to support groups or low-vision services like Glaucoma NZ. And recommending mindfulness or relaxation techniques as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.