Current Depression, Lifetime History of Depression, and Visual Acuity in Hispanic Adults

Abstract

This study used data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine associations between bilateral visual acuity and depression among Cuban American, Mexican American, and Puerto Rican adults. Among Mexican Americans, the odds of current depression were significantly higher for those with moderate and greater impairment distance acuity (20/80 or worse). Among Cuban Americans, the odds of lifetime history of major depressive disorder were significantly higher for those with a distance visual acuity worse than 20/50. There were no significant associations between either past or current depression and impaired visual acuity in Puerto Ricans. These findings provide only limited support for the hypothesis that odds of past and current depression are greater in Hispanics with impaired visual acuity than in Hispanics who are fully sighted.