Rev Bras Oftalmol.2025;84:e0096
Psychological distress in patients with keratoconus
DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20250096
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To assess the mental health status of patients diagnosed with keratoconus in the city of Porto Alegre (RS).
Methods:
A prospective cross-sectional study with a sample of 106 patients. The study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, in the Contact Lens and Corneal Transplant sectors. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used, and the results were described categorically or continuously, in percentages and means/medians, as indicated.
Results:
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 8.99% (95% CI 7.78-10.20%). Severe manifestations were related to worse visual acuity.
Conclusion:
The results suggest a higher occurrence of symptoms of depression in patients with keratoconus, both in terms of prevalence and severity. This is the first study to screen for symptoms of depression in patients with keratoconus in southern Brazil.
Keywords: Blindness; depression; Keratoconus; Mental health; Surveys and questionnaires