A new study suggests that vision loss may be linked to dementia in people over the age of 71. Researchers from the University of Michigan in the US analyzed data from nearly 3,000 US citizens over the age of 71. They tested the participants’ vision and recorded their scores for short-distance vision, long-distance vision and how well they were able to distinguish objects against different backgrounds.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology, showed that participants with vision loss were more likely to develop dementia than those who had no vision problems.
Up to 40 percent of dementia cases may be affected by 12 risk factors that we can prevent or influence, such as smoking, high blood pressure and hearing loss. The researchers said vision loss is not currently one of these 12 significant risk factors, but new evidence suggests there is an association between vision loss and dementia.
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“This is an important time for dementia research, as evidence builds about how factors such as vision loss are associated with dementia. “It’s happening for the first time,” said Dr Susan Mitchell, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“This new study provides important new evidence linking vision loss to dementia and corroborates previous studies. But it is not definitive, and it will be important for future studies to find out what is causing this apparent link.” , because it will determine what, if any, is the possibility for prevention,” she said.
There are several possibilities – for example, diabetes is a major risk factor for dementia, and the condition can also cause vision problems. Or it could be that there are shared pathways in the brain that cause both vision loss and a decline in memory and thinking ability.
Some cases of vision loss can be prevented, and others can be successfully treated – if this link is confirmed, it could mean that people who are older can take steps to reduce vision problems as they age. They may also help reduce the risk of conditions such as dementia, Mitchell said.
“In the meantime, we can all take action to protect our brain health, from keeping our hearts healthy to enjoying new activities and social interactions,” he added.