See the bigger picture: how healthy eyes support a healthy mind

When eye health impacts mental health 

Undetected vision problems can quietly affect more than just your sight. They can cause headaches, eye strain, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, all of which add extra stress to daily life.  

Even small changes in vision can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognising faces more challenging, which can lead to frustration, worry or withdrawal from social activities.  

Over time, untreated or unnoticed eye conditions may create more anxiety, particularly around the fear of losing independence and the ability to live life on your own terms.

What the science says 

Research has shown a tangible link between vision and mental health.  

A meta-analysis published in JAMA Ophthalmology indicated that 1 in 4 patients with visual impairment who attended eye care services were affected by depression. Studies in this review included mostly patients aged 65 years or older.  

The finding of depression was similar, or even more common, among patients in clinical services compared with rehabilitation services, which could reflect patients’ initial shock of receiving a diagnosis of an irreversible eye disease. 

In Australia, the RACGP has also highlighted that impaired vision, particularly from conditions like cataracts or low vision, is strongly tied to lower mental and physical health outcomes.

The Australian picture 

Around 14.4 million Australians (that’s 57% of the population) live with a long‑term eye condition, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). And it gets even more common with age: 91.5% of Australians aged 75+ have at least one eye condition. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 21.5% of Australians aged 16–85 experience a mental disorder each year and nearly half will experience one in their lifetime.  

For people living with vision impairment, the risks of depression, anxiety and social isolation are even higher. 

Higher risks and barriers for eye health in rural, remote and Indigenous communities

For people in rural and remote areas, preventable vision loss is far more common, and access to eye care is often limited. That makes maintaining eye health a bigger challenge and it affects both physical and mental wellbeing. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found 38% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults reported having an eye or sight problem (around 307,000 people). In remote communities, that’s about 44,100 people (30% of the population). Women report more vision problems than men (54% vs 45%), but once age is considered, rates for Indigenous (49%) and non‑Indigenous Australians (52%) are similar.  

The National Eye Health Survey (NEHS) showed that in 2016, around 15,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 40+ were living with vision impairment or blindness.  

The biggest causes were uncorrected vision problems like needing glasses (61%), cataracts (20%) and diabetic eye disease (5.2%). 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 21.5% of Australians aged 16–85 experience a mental disorder each year and nearly half will experience one in their lifetime.  

Eye care is self-care 

Caring for your eyes isn’t just about seeing clearly. It’s about protecting your overall wellbeing. 

Getting outdoors, taking breaks from screens and eating well all support both eye and mental health.  

Just as booking a routine dental check-up is essential, seeing your optometrist every two years (or more often if advised) helps catch problems early, before they impact your vision or quality of life.