Study finds higher rates of depression and anxiety among people with corneal dystrophy
Adults with corneal dystrophy have significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to those without the condition, regardless of demographic factors, according to a study.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records from over 370,000 participants in the NIH’s All of Us Research Program, focusing on 2,393 individuals with corneal dystrophy who had not undergone prior eye surgery.
After matching these patients with controls by demographics and health factors, the study found that 32% of people with corneal dystrophy experienced depression compared to 13.7% in the matched controls. Similarly, anxiety disorders affected 32.4% of the corneal dystrophy group compared to 16% of controls. Statistical analysis showed that corneal dystrophy was associated with nearly twice the odds of depression and more than double the odds of anxiety.
These associations were consistent regardless of race, gender, or income level, suggesting the psychological impact of corneal dystrophy transcends socioeconomic differences.
Reference
Nishihara TW, Afshari NA. Investigating the Relationship Between Corneal Dystrophy and Mental Health Conditions Using the All of Us Research Program Database. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025;S0002-9394(25)00393-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2025.07.032. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40754259.
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