Mental health and glaucoma study highlights gender disparity

A US study has found that women living with glaucoma were more likely to experience depression and stress, and were less likely to have social support than men.

Researchers at the University of California sought to understand differences in measures of depression, stress and social support by gender among those diagnosed with glaucoma.

Of 3,633 glaucoma patients, 57% were women and many patients indicated mild, moderate or severe depression, which was measured using patient health questionnaire scores.

Women were also significantly less likely to report having help all or most of the time if they needed someone to prepare meals or perform daily chores than men.