Glaucoma patients at higher risk for depression

A recent study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for anxiety and depression among glaucoma patients. Results of the study were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology and showed that younger patients were more at risk for anxiety while older patients or those with more severe cases of glaucoma were at a higher risk for depression. The study involved 408 patients with glaucoma and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for anxiety and depression. Researchers identified a link between the age of the patient and the severity of the glaucoma as risk factors for anxiety and depression. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.