Depression and vision loss in ageing

23 May 2012
Volume 13, Issue 2
Low vision

Emerging evidence suggests that about one-third of people with a visual impairment which would benefit from a magnifier have significant depressive symptoms.

Introduction

The combined effects of depression and visual impairment are profoundly disabling. Treatment for depression is highly effective and so NICE guidelines on depression (2009) suggest workers in primary care screen high-risk groups, such as those with a visual impairment, and make appropriate referrals when necessary.

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