It has long been understood that the body is highly interconnected; a condition in one part of the body can trigger changes or reactions in a completely separate part of the body. Recent research suggests that this interconnection even connects mental health with vision health. According to a study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers found that anxiety and depression are strongly linked with cases of glaucoma.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that lead to very high pressure within the eye as a result of a backup of fluid. If this high pressure persists over time, it causes damage to the optic nerve. Since the optic nerve is responsible for relaying images between the eye and the brain, the formation of glaucoma can ultimately lead to poor vision and blindness. Fortunately, there are many glaucoma treatment plans available to lower eye pressure and improve fluid drainage from the eye.
The Link to Depression and Anxiety
Researcher recently evaluated nearly 4.5 million patients that comprised of 2,457,964 females, 11,234 patients with glaucoma, 96,527 patients with anxiety, and 103,476 patients with depression. Out of the 11,234 patients with glaucoma, 1,916 were diagnosed with anxiety and 2,476 were diagnosed with depression. This strong association remained consistent with age.
The True Importance of Proper Treatment
Given the link between glaucoma and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, treatment efficiency is more important than ever before. “Thorough and continued patient education and encouraging treatment adherence are important for not only treating glaucoma itself, but also for improving patients’ quality of life,” the researchers wrote. This is especially true since anxiety and depression have the ability to detract from a patient’s ability to follow specific treatment plans.
The Eye Clinic of Florida, led by esteemed ophthalmologist Dr. Ahad Mahootchi, is the very best place in the Tampa and Zephyrhills, Florida area to receive care for your own glaucoma. Dr. Mahootchi is dedicated to using cutting-edge, affordable, and reliable methods of care to help his patients preserve and improve their vision. Call (813) 779-3338 today to make your first appointment.