Depression Among Patients With Idiopathic Macular Holes Or Macular Epiretinal Membranes After Phacoemulsification And Vitrectomy

Purpose:Visual acuity and visual function impairment are common in patients with Idiopathic macular hole (IMH) and macular epiretinal membrane(ERM). Several studies have suggested that depression is common in visual impairment group.This study is (1) try to screen depression in patients with IMH or ERM, (2) to investigate the possible reasons of depression.Methods:Participants were patiens aged 60 and older with IMH or ERM, who had undergone phacomulsification combined with vitrectomy operation, the operation time from the follow-up time wa≥6 months. Geriatric depressin scale(GDS), the best visual acuity of preoperation and postoperation (BCVA, snellen visual acuity), GDS scores were recorded. According to the education background, patients were divided as ≤primary school, secondary school, or≥tertiary school. To investigate the impact of sex, education background, follow-up period and age on depression, and the relationship between the BCVA and depression.Results:94 patients (35 males,59 females) completed the depression screening,67 cases were with IMH,27 cases were with ERM. The proportion of participants who scored GDS 10/30 was 29.8%(6males,22females). Female (37.3%) was higher than male (17.1%) (P=0.013).25 cases aged 60-069years,3cases aged 70-79years and 1 case aged over 80years(P=0.000). The follow-up period of nondepressed was 15.64±8.53m, while the depressed was 17.75±8.00m. The proportion of depression in≤primary school-group was 31.0%,higher than among≥tertiary school-group 21.4% (P=0.000). The proportion of depression in secondary school-group was 31.6%,higher than among tertiary and above-group 21.4%(P=0.001). There was no siginificant difference between primary and below-group(31.0%) and secondary-group (31.6%, P=0.655) Depression was significantly and negatively correlated with preoperative (r＝-0.228, P=0.027) and postoperative visual acuity (r＝-0.287, P=0.005).Conclusion:Depression was common among patients had undergone phacoemulsification and vitrectomy. It is higher in females than in males. The probability of depression in patients with secondary and below is higher than in tertiary and above. The younger in elder patients and the longer of follow-up period, the more depressed occurres. Preoperative and postoperative BCVA have a negative correlation with depression. Therefore, clinicians should consider the psychological health of patients who are treated for IMH or ERM.