A recent study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that one in five cases of dementia could be attributed to vision impairment. The study, which included over 2,700 older adults in the U.S. over the age of 65, found that 19% of dementia cases were linked to visual impairments. Participants between the ages of 71 and 79 showed an elevated risk.
The researchers conducted three visual impairment tests, measuring the ability to see close objects, distant objects, and contrasted outlines of smaller objects. They found that vision impairment in late life may have a substantial impact on dementia risk and should be considered in dementia prevention strategies.
While the study identified a higher rate of dementia and eye impairment in non-Hispanic white older adults, it emphasized that the findings do not definitively prove a cause-and-effect relationship. However, the study underscores the importance of maintaining good eye health in older adults to potentially lower the risk of developing dementia.
Another study published earlier this year found a strong link between a rare vision condition called posterior cortical atrophy or Benson’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, a study from the University of Michigan highlighted the prevalence of dementia among older adults with vision issues. These findings further stress the importance of monitoring and maintaining good vision health in older adults as a potential way to reduce the risk of dementia.
