Association between vision impairment and depression, anxiety and quality of life among secondary school students in rural China

Abstract

Vision impairment affects approximately 2.2 billion people globally, including at least 450 million children needing treatment. Myopia, the leading cause of vision impairment in children, delays development in various skills. Despite this, only a small percentage of children in rural western China have necessary spectacles. This study explores the link between vision impairment, mental health and attitudes towards myopia in rural Northwestern China, and includes a randomized controlled trial protocol to assess the impact of providing free glasses on secondary school children's mental health. The research involved two systematic reviews examining the correlation between vision impairment, ocular morbidity, treatment, and mental health outcomes and quality of life (QoL); a cross-sectional study assessing the mental health and quality of life of vision-impaired children in Northwestern China during COVID-19; and a mixed-methods study exploring stakeholders' attitudes towards myopia, glasses-wearing, and their impact on academic performance and career paths in rural Ningxia. Systematic reviews revealed vision-impaired children had higher depression and anxiety scores and lower QoL scores compared to their peers. Children with strabismus had higher depression and anxiety scores and lower QoL scores, which improved post-surgery. The cross-sectional study found prevalent mental health issues during the pandemic, with no significant differences between Hui and Han children or those with and without vision impairment. The mixed-methods study revealed misconceptions about myopia and glasses-wearing among stakeholders, who were unaware of the link between glasses and academic performance and concerned about career limitations due to myopia and its correction. The project highlighted that vision impairment, particularly myopia, is linked to higher depression and anxiety and lower QoL in children, underscoring areas for improvement.

Date of Award	Jul 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC)
Supervisor	Ving Fai Chan (Supervisor), Nathan Congdon (Supervisor) & Gianni Virgili (Supervisor)