<p>Living in a world that is increasingly shaped by digital connectivity, you would think that loneliness would be less of an issue. Yet, despite the countless apps and social platforms designed to bring people together, I often find myself feeling more isolated than ever. As someone who is partially blind due to glaucoma and unable to drive, my experience with loneliness is amplified, especially within the context of social media.</p><h3><strong>The Role of Social Media in My Life with Glaucoma</strong></h3><p>My diagnosis of glaucoma at the age of 17 was one of the most pivotal points in my life. This was during senior year of high school and marks the transition between high school to college for me and most kids my age. It came at a time when I was just beginning to understand the freedom and mobility that many take for granted—driving, going out spontaneously, or even accessing healthcare without needing someone to give me a ride. The feeling of being an adult with independence. This opportunity and experience were taken away from me before I even had the chance. The inability to drive is more than just an inconvenience; it directly limits my access to people, places, and opportunities, which in turn has compounded feelings of isolation. Thus, stripping away my independence.&nbsp;</p><p>Social media, on the surface, seemed like the perfect solution to this. It offered a way for me to connect with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet, given my limitations. I could engage in conversations, share my thoughts, and learn from others who are also navigating life with disabilities, especially in communities that discuss neurodiversity and disability. This kind of virtual interaction filled a gap that existed in my daily life—the gap of spontaneous, in-person connection that so many people take for granted. It was more important in the post-college world, where friends were all scattered and no longer living in the same place.&nbsp;</p><p>However, while social media offered the promise of connection, it also amplified my sense of isolation in unexpected ways.</p><h3><strong>The Double-Edged Sword of Connection and Comparison</strong></h3><p>Social media can be both a refuge and a mirror, reflecting the realities of my limitations. On one hand, it’s allowed me to stay in touch with people across the globe, participate in advocacy work, and build a support network of like-minded individuals. This is especially important for someone like me, who not only deals with visual impairments but also navigates the complexities of being late-identified with autism and ADHD. Social media has been a place where I can find others like myself and hear stories from others similar to me.</p><p>But on the other hand, social media often feels like a never-ending cycle of FOMO (fear of missing out). I watch as others thrive in ways that feel out of reach for me: people attending events, road trips with friends, and spontaneous hangouts—all activities that require driving or ease of access that I simply don’t have. For someone like me, who is a foodie, it can be difficult to try new restaurants and food, where I would need to rely on others to go with me or take me there. While I see friends and strangers alike engaging in what seems like effortless social lives, I am reminded of my own barriers to doing the same. Even though I can engage with people online, there is a fundamental disconnect—deep, intimate conversations that I crave are hard to come by. Instead, it often feels like I’m just watching life happen to others, while I sit on the sidelines. However, virtual meetups and connections have been helpful and are a temporary solution to coping with loneliness via community building and networking through Building relationships online first, before in-person meetings as the follow-up.</p><h3><strong>The Craving for Deep, Intimate Connection</strong></h3><p>For someone who has always struggled with forming close friendships due to both my neurodivergence and physical limitations, social media only scratches the surface of what I truly need. Yes, it can be a bridge to connection, but it’s not a substitute for the depth and warmth of in-person interactions. I can follow someone on Instagram or TikTok, share comments, and even engage in meaningful conversations within online communities—but it’s not the same as sitting down face-to-face, going on trips together, and feeling the emotional resonance of a real-life conversation.</p><p>There’s a particular kind of loneliness that comes from being able to “connect” with people but not connect with them. The shallow nature of social media interactions can leave me feeling more isolated because, while I may be following and connecting with dozens of people online, I still crave that real, in-person bond. Nothing beats the intimacy of shared experiences—whether it’s a heartfelt conversation over coffee or the energy exchanged when sitting in the same room with someone who truly understands you.</p><h3><strong>The Inaccessibility of the World and the Importance of Connection</strong></h3><p>My inability to drive due to my glaucoma is a constant reminder of how inaccessible the world can be for those of us with disabilities. In a city like Los Angeles, where driving is a key to independence if you don’t live close to places with public transportation, not having that ability has greatly affected my ability to maintain friendships, attend social events, or even advocate for myself in the ways I would like to. Social media helps fill this gap to some degree, but it also highlights the disconnect between virtual interactions and real-world relationships.</p><p>The reality is that while social media has allowed me to connect with people I would have never met otherwise, it’s also made me acutely aware of how isolating it can be. It gives the illusion of connection while simultaneously reminding me of the limitations I face, both physically and emotionally. And though I value the online communities that have supported me, nothing will ever replace the deep, in-person connections that I, and so many others, yearn for.</p><h3><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h3><p>Living with glaucoma, autism, and ADHD, and not having the ability to drive has certainly shaped the way I navigate loneliness in a social media-driven world. While social media can be a powerful tool for connection, it can also exacerbate feelings of isolation, comparison, and inadequacy. As someone who craves deep, meaningful relationships, I have had to find a balance between leveraging the benefits of social media and seeking out real-world, neuro-affirming connections that nurture my mental health and emotional well-being.</p><p>Loneliness is a complex human experience. While technology offers some solutions, it is not a replacement for true, in-person connection. My journey continues to be one of navigating these complexities while advocating for greater accessibility, understanding, and empathy—for myself and for others in similar situations.</p>

Dennis Tran

Navigating Life with Glaucoma, Late Neurodivergence, and the Complexities of Digital Connection

Living in a world that is increasingly shaped by digital connectivity, you would think that loneliness would be less of an issue. Yet, despite the countless apps and social platforms designed to bring people together, I often find myself feeling more isolated than ever. As someone who is partially blind due to glaucoma and unable to drive, my experience with loneliness is amplified, especially within the context of social media.

Loneliness in a Social Media Culture

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