Yoshikawa and colleagues confirmed a clear association between depression and glaucomatous optic nerves, but this association was found to be independent of light exposure.
Unlike age-related macular degeneration or dry eye there are very few lifestyle modifications that have been shown to soften the impact of glaucoma. I am routinely asked this question and can see my patient’s frustration at the lack of clear answers. This lack of control over the disease is frustrating for patients and doctors alike.
Future studies may find factors that contribute to glaucoma-associated depression besides visual field loss. Ultimately, the glaucoma-depression association is most certainly multifactorial, but in-office light therapy is not currently advised. In the meantime, identifying depressed glaucoma patients and connecting them to the appropriate health care providers is critically important.
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