10/03/2025
I am preparing a lecture with Dr. Christina Chen (.edelweiss), assistant professor and physician at the Mayo Clinic, for the American Academy of Optometry meeting on a related topic, and I was struck by how strongly vision can influence overall cognitive health.
This creates a double vicious cycle that makes it even more important to support patients fully from the moment of diagnosis.
In this study, Mental health scores declined significantly after a glaucoma diagnosis despite most patients having mild, often unilateral disease and no measurable loss in function. This highlights that the diagnosis itself can carry a profound emotional burden, even before patients experience symptoms.
Many patients fear blindness, and this anxiety can affect not only quality of life but potentially the trajectory of the disease.
Mental health and eye health are closely connected. Some studies suggest that anxiety and depression may increase the risk for conversion from glaucoma suspect to glaucoma. At the same time, advancing ocular disease may heighten the risk for cognitive decline.
Support must extend beyond prescribing medication. It involves clear communication, addressing fears and reassuring patients that glaucoma is, in most cases, highly manageable Thoughtful counseling and consistent follow-up have the power not only to improve mental well-being but also to influence the course of disease itself.
