Walia S, Morya AK. Psychiatric disorders linked to visual impairment: A review of mental health challenges and interventions across age groups. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(1): 111118 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.111118]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Arvind K Morya, MD, Professor, Senior Researcher, Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibi Nagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India. bulbul.morya@gmail.com
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Psychology, Clinical
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Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jan 19, 2026 (publication date) through Dec 31, 2025
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Publication Name
World Journal of Psychiatry
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2220-3206
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Walia S, Morya AK. Psychiatric disorders linked to visual impairment: A review of mental health challenges and interventions across age groups. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(1): 111118 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.111118]
World J Psychiatry. Jan 19, 2026; 16(1): 111118 Published online Jan 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.111118
Psychiatric disorders linked to visual impairment: A review of mental health challenges and interventions across age groups
Shweta Walia, Arvind K Morya
Shweta Walia, Department of Ophthalmology, MGM Medical College, Indore 452001, Madhya Pradesh, India
Arvind K Morya, Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India
Author contributions: Walia S and Morya AK wrote and edited the manuscript; Morya AK conceptualized the research topic and submitted the revised manuscript with all the related documents; and all authors thoroughly reviewed and endorsed the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Arvind K Morya, MD, Professor, Senior Researcher, Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibi Nagar, Hyderabad 508126, Telangana, India. bulbul.morya@gmail.com
Received: June 24, 2025 Revised: July 9, 2025 Accepted: October 15, 2025 Published online: January 19, 2026 Processing time: 190 Days and 18.6 Hours
Abstract
The intersection of visual impairment and mental health has profound effects on quality of life and warrants attention from healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers. With 20 million children under the age of 14 affected globally, older adults also experience significant psychological impact including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. The implications of vision-related challenges extend far beyond mere sight. Depression and anxiety, exacerbated by social isolation and reduced physical activity, underscore the need for comprehensive interventions that address both medical and psychosocial dimensions. By recognizing the profound impact of ocular morbidities like strabismus, myopia, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration on mental health and investing in effective treatments and inclusive practices, society can pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future for affected individuals. There is evidence that myopic children experience a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to their normal peers, and interventions like the correction of strabismus can enhance psychological outcome - demonstrating the value of an integrated management approach.
Core Tip: Visual impairment and eye disorders are strongly associated with mental illness, namely depression and anxiety. The interaction is bidirectional: Vision loss can lead to psychological illness, but psychological illness can worsen vision loss through affecting compliance with treatment. Regular screening for psychiatric health in ophthalmic practice and multidisciplinary collaboration are required. Interventions should be tailored to age, severity of visual impairment, and individual psychosocial needs with a focus on coping and functional support.
