The common perception of glaucoma is that it causes irreversible blindness. The diagnosis of glaucoma, therefore, impacts the patient adversely. Glaucoma diagnosis is invariably associated with some anxiety and depression. That said, it is important to remember that the relationship between glaucoma and depression is complex and multifactorial.
Thereafter, the treatment of glaucoma may also contribute to issues related to mental health. In the later stages, the vision loss associated with glaucoma also contributes to the depression.
It is also important to remember that the treatment of both glaucoma and depression can interfere with the other disease.
Glaucoma and depression may coexist
Mental disorders may coexist with other diseases, and impact their diagnosis and management. Various researchers have reported an increased incidence of anxiety and depression in patients with glaucoma, even before diagnosis.
Glaucoma medication may cause depression
Some psychiatric treatments, both medical and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), can cause glaucoma. Glaucoma medication, such as topical beta -blockers and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, can also cause depression. Typically, the eye drops containing beta -blockers end in the suffix –olol, or –com. Eye drops containing carbonic anhydrase inhibitors end in –olamide.
Other antiglaucoma eye drops like brimonidine, and pilocarpine can cause psychiatric symptoms.
Depression interferes with glaucoma therapy
Depression interferes with glaucoma treatment. Anxiety and depression can significantly detract from your ability to follow treatment regimens. Therefore, these need to be identified and managed separately. You may need to see a mental health specialist in order to handle the disease better, In fact, better mental health will help you follow your glaucoma treatment, and also improve your overall quality of life.
Some anti depressants may cause or aggravate glaucoma
Some drugs used to treat depression may induce an attack of angle closure glaucoma in predisposed eyes. These include Tricyclic antidepressants, low-potency antipsychotics, topiramate and, some SSRIs. Hence, you must tell your eye doctor about your medication history. Your eye doctor may want to perform a gonioscopy if you are on any of these drugs.
Furthermore, some of these medications will also interfere with your ability to perform visual fields.
It is okay to be scared
It is normal to feel a little anxious or scared when diagnosed with glaucoma. It is, however, essential to remember that with current available treatment, glaucoma can be treated. If you follow the advice of your eye doctor, the chances of blindness are very small.
Seek help
That said, if you think you are unable to cope with the diagnosis of glaucoma, or its treatment, you must inform your doctor immediately. This will help you manage not only your anxiety and depression better, but will also help with your glaucoma treatment.
