A recent study suggests that dementia may be linked to sight loss in people over the age of 71. The review was distributed on July 13 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
As part of a larger study called the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), data from nearly 3,000 US citizens over the age of 71 were analyzed by researchers at the University of Michigan in the United States. This bigger review tried the members’ visual perception and recorded their scores for brief distance vision, significant distance vision, and how well they had the option to recognize objects against various foundations. They additionally saw if the members had dementia from the NHATS’s concentration on information.
What they found was that members with sight misfortune were bound to have dementia, compared with individuals without any issues with their vision.
“This is an important time for dementia research because evidence about how factors like vision loss are linked to dementia is growing. Such studies are critical for discovering potential new dementia risk factors and, ultimately, determining ways to potentially prevent some cases of dementia from occurring in the first place.”
Dr. Susan Mitchell, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK,
Up to 40% of dementia cases could be affected by 12 risk factors that we might have the option to forestall or impact, for example, smoking, hypertension, and hearing misfortune. Despite the fact that sight loss is not currently one of these 12 significant risk factors, new research released today suggests a connection between sight loss and dementia.
Dr. Susan Mitchell, Head of Strategy at Alzheimer’s Exploration UK, said, “This is a critical time for dementia research, as proof forms about how factors, for example, sight misfortune, are connected to dementia. For the purpose of determining potential new dementia risk factors and, ultimately, figuring out how to possibly prevent some cases of dementia from occurring in the first place, studies like this one are essential.”
“This new review gives significant new proof connecting sight misfortune to dementia and connects to past examinations. Be that as it may, this isn’t conclusive, and it will be significant for future examinations to find out definitively what is causing this obvious connection, as this will figure out what, if any, potential there is for anticipation.”
“There are a number of possibilities, such as diabetes, which is a major risk factor for dementia and can also cause vision issues. On the other hand, it is possible that there are shared pathways in the cerebrum that cause both vision misfortune and a decrease in memory and the ability to think.
“If this link is confirmed, this could mean that people who take steps to minimize sight problems as they get older could also help reduce their risk of conditions like dementia.” “Some cases of sight loss are preventable, and others can be treated successfully.”
“In the interim, we can all protect our brain health by enjoying new activities and social interactions, keeping our hearts healthy, and taking action. You can take Alzheimer’s Research UK’s “Think Brain Health Check-in” by visiting if you want to learn more about how your own lifestyle affects brain health. https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/brain-health/check-in/ “
More information: Olivia J. Killeen et al, Objectively Measured Visual Impairment and Dementia Prevalence in Older Adults in the US, JAMA Ophthalmology (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.2854
