The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) and depression in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).The VRQoL and depression were evaluated in 58 patients with unilateral RRD and 58 healthy controls, using the Chinese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (CHI-VFQ-25) and the Chinese version of Beck Depression Inventory-II, respectively.Composite scores of the CHI-VFQ-25 were significantly lower in the RRD patients, compared with the healthy controls (P < .001). Lower composite scores were associated with older age (P < .01), severer visual loss (P < .05), longer duration of the disease (P < .05), and macular involved (P < .05). The proportion of depression was significantly higher in RRD patients than healthy controls (39.66% vs 5.17%, P < .001). The depression of RRD patients was associated with the longer duration of the disease (r=0.268, P < .001).The RRD patients suffer from poor VRQoL and a high proportion of depression. Physicians should pay more attention to mental health in RRD patients.