TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of visual impairment and comorbid mental health disorders on daily functioning
T2 - a systematic literature review
AU - van Munster, Edine P. J.
AU - Onnink, Marjolein L. A.
AU - Teunissen, Lisanne B. A.
AU - Lamper, Cynthia
AU - van der Ham, Alida J.
AU - de Vries, Ralph
AU - Verstraten, Peter F. J.
AU - van Nispen, Ruth M. A.
AU - van der Aa, Hilde P. A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/12/1
Y1 - 2025/12/1
N2 - Background: The aim of this study was to systematically assess and discuss literature on the impact of visual impairment (VI) in combination with specific mental health disorders (MHDs), i.e. personality disorders (including antisocial, borderline and dependent personality disorder), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychotic disorders, on daily functioning. Methods: A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA-statement. The databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane library, and Web of Science were searched for relevant publications up to December 20th, 2024. Quality assessment was conducted following the criteria of the PHO MetaQAT. Thematic content analysis was performed to indicate the impact of VI and the chosen MHDs on daily functioning. Results: Twenty-two relevant publications were found. Twenty-one publications described the impact of the combination of VI and ASD and sometimes additional disorders, and focused on children, predominantly in school settings. One publication addressed VI and psychosis. The impact on daily functioning was described according to age and MHD, and categorized by five main themes: (1) psychological functioning, (2) social functioning, (3) physical functioning, (4) school performance, and (5) parental and clinical support. One publication had ‘sufficient’ and ‘good’ ratings on validity, while all others had at least one ‘insufficient’ or ‘unclear’ rating. Conclusions: A limited number of publications on the combined impact of VI and MHDs on daily functioning were found. Publications primarily focused on VI and ASD in children. Uncertainty about the impact remains due to a lack of high-quality publications. The gap in evidence calls for future research to address the challenges in supporting people with VI and MHDs. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
AB - Background: The aim of this study was to systematically assess and discuss literature on the impact of visual impairment (VI) in combination with specific mental health disorders (MHDs), i.e. personality disorders (including antisocial, borderline and dependent personality disorder), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychotic disorders, on daily functioning. Methods: A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA-statement. The databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane library, and Web of Science were searched for relevant publications up to December 20th, 2024. Quality assessment was conducted following the criteria of the PHO MetaQAT. Thematic content analysis was performed to indicate the impact of VI and the chosen MHDs on daily functioning. Results: Twenty-two relevant publications were found. Twenty-one publications described the impact of the combination of VI and ASD and sometimes additional disorders, and focused on children, predominantly in school settings. One publication addressed VI and psychosis. The impact on daily functioning was described according to age and MHD, and categorized by five main themes: (1) psychological functioning, (2) social functioning, (3) physical functioning, (4) school performance, and (5) parental and clinical support. One publication had ‘sufficient’ and ‘good’ ratings on validity, while all others had at least one ‘insufficient’ or ‘unclear’ rating. Conclusions: A limited number of publications on the combined impact of VI and MHDs on daily functioning were found. Publications primarily focused on VI and ASD in children. Uncertainty about the impact remains due to a lack of high-quality publications. The gap in evidence calls for future research to address the challenges in supporting people with VI and MHDs. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
KW - Autism spectrum disorder
KW - Comorbidity
KW - Impact daily functioning
KW - Mental health disorders
KW - Obsessive-compulsive disorder
KW - Personality disorders
KW - Psychotic disorders
KW - Systematic review
KW - Visual impairment
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105011257444
U2 - 10.1186/s12888-025-07085-8
DO - 10.1186/s12888-025-07085-8
M3 - Review article
C2 - 40702421
SN - 1471-244X
VL - 25
JO - BMC psychiatry
JF - BMC psychiatry
IS - 1
M1 - 721
ER -