Evaluation of Depression Levels in Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Using the Geriatric Depression Scale.

Introduction Glaucoma is a chronic disease that can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness. Methods The study included 91 primary open-angle glaucoma patients aged 60 years and older (group 1) and 83 healthy controls (group 2) with similar age and gender distribution. The duration of the disease, the number of anti-glaucomatous drops used daily, and visual field parameters were recorded. All participants then underwent a comprehensive mental status examination by a psychiatrist and were administered the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results In Group 1, the mean duration of glaucoma was 10.2±6.0 years, and the mean number of drops used per day was 2.91±1.47 drops/day. According to visual field (24-2) data, the mean mean deviation (MD) was -7.76±4.78 dB and the mean pattern standard deviation (PSD) was 5.14±2.60 dB. According to the classification based on MD, 33 (36.3%) patients were in the early stage, 36 (39.5%) in the intermediate stage, and 22 (24.2%) in the advanced stage. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.85±0.38 logMAR in group 1 and 0.34±0.19 logMAR in group 2. The mean GDS scores were 13.7±7.23 points in group 1 and 3.61±1.71 points in group 2. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of BCVA and GDS scores (p=0.039 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, it is important that ophthalmologists provide adequate information about glaucoma to prevent the development of depression in patients with glaucoma. This information may protect patients from uncertainty. A multidisciplinary approach in the management of glaucoma, a chronic and vision-threatening disease, can positively affect patients' compliance with follow-up and treatment, increase the quality of healthcare, and improve treatment responses.