What is already known about this topic?: China exhibits a significantly high prevalence of myopia compared to other countries globally. Children with vision impairment have been found to engage less in physical activities, achieve lower academic performance, and have increased vulnerability to depression.
What is added by this report?: During a six-year observational study, a population-level correlation was identified between varying degrees of visual impairment and the presence of depressive symptoms among students. Specifically, individuals with a visual acuity below 4.0 had a significantly higher odds ratio of 1.90 (95% confidence interval: 1.53-2.37) compared to individuals with normal vision (visual acuity ≥5.0).
What are the implications for public health practice?: This study highlights the importance of holistic health interventions that address both visual and psychological aspects. Understanding common mechanisms and influential factors can guide the development of more impactful public health strategies.
Keywords: Depression; Student; Visual Impairment.
Copyright and License information: Editorial Office of CCDCW, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2023.