The associations and mediators between visual disabilities and anxiety disorders in middle-aged and older adults: A population-based study.
Xiayin Zhang, Shan Wang, Zijing Du, Ishith Seth, Yaxin Wang, Yingying Liang, Guanrong Wu, Yu Huang, Shunming Liu, Yunyan Hu, Xianwen Shang, Yijun Hu, Zhuoting Zhu, Honghua Yu
Abstract
= 1.07, 95% CI [1.01-1.12]), and current anxiety scores (β = 0.028, 95% CI [0.002-0.054]). Besides poorer visual acuity, the longitudinal analysis also supported that each ocular disorder (including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes-related eye disease) was significantly associated with at least two anxiety outcomes. Mediation analyses highlighted that subsequent onsets of eye diseases, especially cataracts, and lower socioeconomic status (SES) partly mediated the association between poorer visual acuity and anxiety disorders. This study demonstrates an overall association between visual disabilities and anxiety disorders in middle-aged and older adults. In particular, early interventions involving treatments for visual disabilities and effective psychological counseling services sensitive to socioeconomic status may help prevent anxiety in those living with poor vision. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).