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ABSTRACT
The study investigated the level of depression among the visually impaired in Benin. This was an observational questionnaire study which was carried out on Eighty–three (83) participants (32 males and 51 females) with various degrees of impairments which satisfied the inclusion criteria, who were patients of the Optometry Teaching Clinic, Department of optometry, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state and Treadan Eye clinic, New Benin, Benin city, were used in this study. Visual acuity was conducted after which, the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to collect the data and results showed that there is indeed a moderately high level of depression among the visually impaired (P<0.05). Chi-square, descriptive statistical tables and bar charts were used to present the results. The results showed that 9.6% had minimal depression, 25.4% had mild depression, 42.1% with moderate depression, 15.7% with moderately severe depression and 7.2% with severe depression and concluded that there’s a moderate high level of depression among the visually impaired. It was suggested that hospitals, families and other social groups should ensure that they provide social and emotional support to the visually impaired using their facilities.
