title: Visual impairment and depression among socially vulnerable older adults in Armenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Visual impairment in older adults is a major public health problem. Untreated visual impairment might negatively impact physical and psychological health. This study assessed the association between visual impairment and depression among socially vulnerable older adults (those aged 50 and above) in Armenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey and eye screenings were carried out among 339 participants who were the residents of retirement homes and single older adults in the households. The study team used Golovin-Sivtsev chart and cycloplegic skiascopy to measure visual impairment and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale to measure depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of visual impairment in the sample was 13.3%. Almost 24.0% of participants reported depression symptoms. Participants living in the retirement homes had substantially higher rates of visual impairment (21.5%) and depression (28.0%) than those living in households (9.3% and 15.0%, respectively). The odds of having depression were higher among those with visual impairment compared to those without after adjusting for confounders (OR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.29-5.87). Having at least one non-communicable disease was associated with depression (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.28-4.75). Living in the retirement home was marginally significantly associated with having depression. Other confounders included age, gender, education, physical activity, and smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual impairment was significantly associated with depression in socially vulnerable older adults in Armenia. Timely eye screenings in similar population groups could lead to early detection of visual impairment and prevention of visual loss and associated mental health problems.
authors.affiliation: a Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology , School of Public Health , American University of Armenia , Yerevan , Armenia.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giloyan
authors.forename: Tsovinar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harutyunyan
authors.forename: Varduhi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Petrosyan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001136:Armenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: depression; older adults; visual impairment