The development of posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals with visual impairment: a systematic search and review

Alida J van der Ham; Hilde Pa van der Aa; Audun Brunes; Trond Heir; Ralph de Vries; Ger Hmb van Rens; Ruth Ma van Nispen

doi:10.1111/opo.12784

The development of posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals with visual impairment: a systematic search and review

Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021 Mar;41(2):331-341. doi: 10.1111/opo.12784. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Authors

Alida J van der Ham^{1

2}, Hilde Pa van der Aa^{1

2}, Audun Brunes³, Trond Heir^{3

4}, Ralph de Vries⁵, Ger Hmb van Rens^{1

6}, Ruth Ma van Nispen¹

Affiliations

¹ Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
² Robert Coppes Foundation, Vught, The Netherlands.
³ Section for Trauma, Catastrophes and Forced Migration - Adults and Elderly, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Ophthalmology, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Purpose: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem with a negative impact on quality of life. Little is known about the relationship between PTSD and visual impairment. According to diagnostic criteria for PTSD, vision loss in itself is generally not considered as a traumatic event. PTSD in people with visual impairment is more likely to be the result of traumatic events, which are not directly related, or are only indirectly related to, visual impairment. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe and discuss the literature on the development of PTSD in people with visual impairment.

Methods: A literature search in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science was performed up to 15 November 2019 in collaboration with a medical information specialist. Additional search strategies included hand searches of references of retrieved papers and free-text hand searches in Google Scholar. Thematic content analysis of the extracted data was carried out in order to identify main themes and subthemes.

Results: Findings from 13 articles are presented in a narrative manner along three main themes: (1) posttraumatic stress disorder; (2) traumatic events and (3) impact of traumatic events. People with visual impairments may be at higher risk of being exposed to certain potentially traumatic events. Limited/restricted access to situational information during events may contribute to the stressfulness of the experience. Furthermore, visual impairment may shape the impact of traumatic events.

Conclusions: The current evidence suggests some unique experiences and challenges for people who are visually impaired. PTSD was prevalent in this population, and prevalence rates ranged from 4% to 50%. Future research may focus on gaining insight into the extent and burden of PTSD, and exploring help-seeking behaviour and treatment needs among those with visual impairment and PTSD.

Keywords: blindness; literature review; posttraumatic stress disorder; traumatic event; visual impairment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Quality of Life*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology*
Vision, Low / complications*
Vision, Low / epidemiology
Vision, Low / physiopathology