Prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients having visual impairment due to cataract.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression among different eye disease patients varies across studies and has not been systematically reviewed. Previous studies report a wide range of prevalence of depressive symptoms varying between 18-89% in the population. This study is to provide a summary of the prevalence of depression among patients with cataract. AIM: To assess prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients having visual impairment due to cataract. METHODS: 164 consecutive patients with cataract were selected from the Ophthalmology Department in a tertiary care hospital. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire and severity was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULT: Prevalence of depression was 24% among patients with senile cataract. In the final multiple logistic regression analysis, age, gender, place of residence, education and household income were found to be significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms is common among patients with cataract.