Stability of visual acuity measurement in depression.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to determine whether depression influences the measurement of visual acuity (VA) in older persons.


METHODS
This was a prospective study, in a geriatric psychiatry inpatient unit. Participants were 32 older patients with major depression. Authors measured VA before and after treatment of major depression, as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).


RESULTS
As depression resolved, there was no significant change in VA from admission to discharge. CES-D scores significantly declined from admission to discharge. VA was not correlated with depression severity (CES-D score) either at baseline or at discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found no evidence that depression influenced VA testing in older adults. Additional studies in patients with major eye diseases are necessary to evaluate the generalizability of this finding.
Rovner
Barry W
BW
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. barry.rovner@jefferson.edu
Casten
Robin
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity