Characteristics of psychological maladjustment in patients with posterior segment eye pathology

BACKGROUND: The analysis of modern studies shows a high prevalence of non-psychotic psychiatric disorders in individuals with ophthalmic pathology.

AIM: To evaluate the characteristics of psychological maladjustment in patients with posterior segment eye pathology.

METHODS: This study is a single-center observational study using consecutive sampling of patients with confirmed diagnoses of “age-related macular degeneration” and “glaucoma”. The study was conducted from April 1 to December 31, 2024, at the Cheboksary branch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Complex – National Medical Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. A clinical survey using psychometric scales, including the Spielberg–Hanin test, Yakhin–Mendelevich clinical questionnaire, and SF–36 health survey questionnaire, was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 79 individuals were examined (47% male, 53% female), with a median age of 69.5 (60–75) years. The participants were divided into two groups: group 1 — patients with age-related macular degeneration; group 2 — patients with glaucoma. For the sample as a whole, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms (27%) and depression (32%) was characteristic. The severity of anxiety symptoms in group 2 was 72.7%, which is statistically significantly higher compared to group 1 (50.0%, p = 0.035). Symptoms of asthenia were more common in patients from group 2 (63.6%), compared to patients with age-related macular degeneration (41.3%, р = 0.041). Obsessive-phobic and autonomic dysfunction symptoms were more characteristic of patients with glaucoma (39.1% and 47.8%, respectively), compared to patients with age-related macular degeneration (12.1% and 24.2%, respectively). The level of statistical significance for obsessive-phobic and autonomic dysfunction symptoms was р = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively. The analysis of the quality of life assessment revealed a more significant physical activity limitation, a more pessimistic outlook on treatment prognosis, and a lower mental well-being in patients with glaucoma.

CONCLUSION: The study revealed a high level of psychological maladjustment among patients with posterior segment eye pathology. The obtained data can be used to develop personalized treatment plans that consider both the ophthalmic diagnosis and the mental status of patients.