Dr. Ashutosh Dayal

Dr.Kalyani Vijaya Kumari, Dr.Vidya Chelerkar, Dr.(col) Madan Deshpande

Abstract

Purpose: Assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with primary glaucoma.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 patients with primary glaucoma attending the outpatient clinic.After obtaining written consent, patients underwent thorough ophthalmic examination and classified on the basis of Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson criteria. Participants were asked to respond to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) questionnaire and responses analyzed.

Results: More than one third of patients (34.5%) were symptomatic for anxiety or depression, out of which clinically confirmed cases were 13(6.5%) and 12(6%) respectively.Disease severity and surgical intervention were associated with higher HADS scores.Treatment duration and gender had no impact on development of anxiety or depression.

Conclusion:Significant proportion of patients with glaucoma develop anxiety and depression. Periodic psychological evaluation with counselling should be a part of treatment protocol

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