Acute Episode Of Depression

Abstract

Objectives: To find evidence on effects of depression, anxiety or stress on the visual functions and to evaluate visual performance in depressed patients with no other ocular anomalies and find out which component of visual system is more compromised due to depression. Method: Screening of Visual acuity, Contrast sensitivity, Color vision, Glare sensitivity and Visual field were carried on 80 patients having clinically diagnosed depression using Snellen chart, Ishihara test, Lea low contrast test, Snellen chart for Glare sensitivity and Confrontation respectively. Results: 1% of depressed patients show decrease in Visual acuity and Contrast sensitivity with higher value for glare sensitivity while 99% of depressed patients exhibit no defect in visual processing. Anxiety, Stress and Panic also do not affect visual functions. This study is unbiased to age, gender and occupation. Conclusion: Depression does not affect vision or any component of visual functions. Visual acuity and Contrast sensitivity is more likely to be affected by depression. Most cases illustrate the bi directional relationship between depression and visual anomalies.