Self-Reported Vision Impairment and Psychological Distress in U.S. Adults

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Examine the relationship between vision impairment and psychological distress in adults ≥18 years.

Methods

Using the 2016–2017 cross-sectional, U.S. National Health Interview Survey, we analyzed self-reported data (n = 57,644) on: Kessler psychological distress scores; general vision impairment (GVI), defined as difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses or contacts; and visual function impairment (VFI), measured using six visual function questions. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for mild/moderate and serious psychological distress, by GVI and VFI status, and identify predictors of psychological distress among those with GVI or VFI.

Results

Among adults, 10.6% (95% CI: 10.2, 11.0) had GVI; 11.6% (CI: 11.1, 12.0) had VFI. One in four adults with GVI had psychological distress (14.9% [CI: 13.8, 16.0] reported mild/moderate and 11.2% [CI: 10.2, 12.3] reported serious). Individuals with GVI, versus those without, had higher odds of mild/moderate (aOR = 2.24; CI: 2.00, 2.52) and serious (aOR = 3.41; CI: 2.96, 3.93) psychological distress; VFI had similar findings. Among adults with GVI, odds of serious psychological distress were higher for those aged 18–39 (aOR = 4.46; CI: 2.89, 6.90) or 40–64 (aOR = 6.09; CI: 4.33, 8.57) versus ≥65 years; smokers (aOR = 2.45; CI: 1.88, 3.18) versus non-smokers; physically inactive (aOR = 1.61; CI: 1.22, 2.11) versus active; and with arthritis (aOR = 2.18; CI: 1.66, 2.87) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR = 1.65; CI: 1.15, 2.37) versus without.

Conclusion

Adults with self-reported vision impairment had higher odds of psychological distress. These findings may inform screening interventions to address psychological distress, particularly among younger working-age adults vision impairment.

KEYWORDS:

• Vision impairment
• blindness
• psychological distress
• depression
• anxiety

Disclosure

There is no funding to disclose. None of the authors have any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission. This material has not been published, nor is it being considered for publication elsewhere.

Data availability

The data used in this analysis are publicly available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Disclosure of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.