Read on if you think vision loss only affects the eyes

Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with or knows someone close to them living with a chronic condition will have experienced the impact of the condition on their mental health. Imagine if this condition meant that you may one day lose your eyesight and it will come as no surprise when I say that many people living with retinal conditions report struggling with their mental health. Vision loss undoubtedly has a significant impact not only on people's eyes, but their minds, too.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the RIWC24: Retina International World Congress 2024 in Dublin for the first time, a really interactive meeting with the lived experience very much at the heart of all discussions. Personally, it provided me a great opportunity to meet with patient group leaders and hear first-hand from caregivers and patient advocates about what really matters to people with retinal conditions - whether they are inherited, related to old age, or caused by diabetes as an underlying condition. 

One of the themes that emerged across the different sessions was the impact of vision loss on mental health. And whilst I have mostly posted about serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, this inspired me to reflect a little on mental illness as a co-morbidity in today's article.

At the congress, it became clear to me that the impact of vision loss goes far beyond what people may typically expect (no longer able to read, drive, recognize faces etc.), affecting every aspect of the patient's life, including their ability to work, travel, complete household tasks and have social interactions. As a consequence, these challenges might lead to financial insecurity, low self-esteem, the feeling of having no control over one’s life, and loneliness – which all are known to have a significant impact on one's mental health.

Hearing from the expert patient speakers at the congress, I was also reminded that the grief at diagnosis and the psychological impact of being diagnosed with such a debilitating condition are only the first step. As the years move on, patients and their loved ones live with the constant fear of further deterioration and anticipation of further changes to their lives. 

But it was not all doom and gloom, of course! RIWC24: Retina International World Congress 2024 in and of itself served as a great testament of the power of community and there were many inspiring examples of how people have turned their diagnosis into a catalyst for the greater good. I can only applaud the organizers, led by the wonderful Avril Daly , for composing such a balanced and insightful agenda. Daniela Brohlburg, for example, a Retinal Dystrophy patient advocate from Germany, gave a truly inspirational talk about her work as a mindfulness expert and peer supporter which allows her to help others accept their emotions, whether positive or negative.

After hearing from patient experts, caregivers and patient group leaders in Dublin, I return to the office feeling energized and proud to be working for a company that has made a generational commitment to advancing research in both areas, mental and retinal health.

Here at Boehringer Ingelheim, we are working towards a future where vision loss is stopped in its tracks, preserving both people’s eyes and minds.  To learn more, I recommend listening to Boehringer’s podcast series, ‘Eyes on Retina’ which explores the current challenges in diagnosis and treatment and lets us take a glimpse at the future for people living with retinal conditions.