A study published in World Journal of Clinical Cases investigated the psychological aspects of rare autoimmune and ophthalmic diseases, such as mental well-being and everyday functioning.
The goal of this study was to analyze descriptive case series reporting in 18 adults evaluated at an integrated psycho-ophthalmology clinic where ophthalmologists and psychologists jointly assessed patients with complex inflammatory, autoimmune, or degenerative ocular conditions.
All participants completed a semi-structured clinical psychological interview and brief standardized screening for anxiety/depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life utilizing the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).
Most patients (17/18) had systemic autoimmune, rheumatologic, or demyelinating comorbidities, and dry eye/ocular surface disease was present in 33%. Clinically significant anxiety symptoms were observed in 50%, while clinically significant depressive symptoms were 17%, with an additional 33% showing borderline depressive scores. Physical health-related quality of life was greatly reduced, with 67% scoring less than 40. In terms of mental quality of life, 44% scored less than 40. Based on the integrated assessment, structured psychological support or psychotherapy was recommended for 50% of patients, and a more in-depth psychiatric/psychological evaluation for 11%.
This study highlights the high psychological burden and functional impairment in autoimmune and rare ophthalmic populations. Integrating brief mental health screening plus focused interview within routine ophthalmic care may be beneficial as psychological aspects remain under-assessed in routine eye care.
For more information, visit wjgnet.com
To learn more about rare ophthalmic conditions, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/ophthalmology-eye-diseases/
Reference:
Capobianco M, Zeppieri M, Nicolosi SG, Faro GD, Salanitro D, Khouyyi M, D’Esposito F, Gagliano C. When eye disease affects the mind: Psychological burden and functioning in autoimmune ophthalmology. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(4): 117692 [PMID: 41695768 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i4.117692]