Depression, Anxiety and Early Presbyopia in Saudi Female

Abstract

Almaha S. Almutlaq

The study examines the onset of Presbyopia, Depression and anxiety in Saudi females. Presbyobia is a condition that occurs as one grows older. In Saudi Arabia, women have a higher preference of developing the disease compared to the men. This is due to the fact that women live longer than men as the life expectancy of women is three times higher compared to men. Moreover, the population is exposed to risk such as high temperatures in the country, resulting in too much ultraviolet radiation. The research seeks to establish a link between poor eye health and mental health as the contributory factors related to early presbyopia. The study seeks to understand how eye disease can affect patients, particularly women’s mental health during the early onset of the disease. The method for research involved the collection of clinical data from 28 female participants. Out of the 28, 14 were in the control group, whereas the other 14 exhibited the visual impairment. All the participants selected developed presbyopia between ages 35 and 40. The participants completed a questionnaire that linked mental health and depression. Also, a brief, standardized depression screen was conducted. The findings from the study confirmed that in Saudi Arabia, the onset of Presbyopia is 35 to 39 years compared to Caucasians which is between the ages 41 to 45 years. 60% of the population with the disease are from specific professions that include office workers and teachers. The visual impairment was linked to anxiety and depression as the patient’s ability to conduct certain activities was disrupted. The study concludes that, whereas vision loss is not the main cause of depression, it increases anxiety and depression due to the limitations it causes among women.

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