Study Links Vision Problems in Older Adults to Higher Risk of Dementia, Including Alzheimer’s Disease
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found that older adults with vision problems may be more likely to develop dementia. Researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor analyzed data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study and discovered a link between various types of vision problems and a higher prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The study examined three different types of vision problems: distance acuity, near acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Distance acuity refers to the clarity or sharpness of vision from 20 feet away and is typically measured by having a person read letters on a Snellen chart. Near acuity measures how well someone can see something up close, while contrast sensitivity gauges a person’s ability to distinguish between an object and the background it is set against or to differentiate between similar colors.
The findings of the study revealed that the more types of vision problems a person had, the higher their chances of developing dementia. The study included data from 2,967 participants aged 71 and older.
Lead study author Olivia Killeen, M.D., clinical lecturer for ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Michigan, stated that “eye health and brain health are closely linked in older adults.” She emphasized the importance of treating vision problems, as many of them are treatable. For example, cataracts, which are one of the main causes of visual impairment in older individuals, can be reversed with cataract surgery.
However, Killeen noted that the study had some limitations. The researchers did not have information on the specific causes of visual impairment, preventing them from studying the association between specific eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and dementia. Killeen suggested that further randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the impact of treating vision problems on dementia.
Dr. Gary Small, chair of psychiatry and behavioral health physician-in-chief at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, agrees with the study’s results. He explained that mental stimulation is crucial for maintaining brain health, and loss of visual stimulation can lead to withdrawal and diminished mental engagement. Small emphasized the importance of routine eye care in early diagnosis and treatment of vision problems to protect against dementia.
The study’s large sample size and objective measures of visual impairment make the results particularly compelling. Small stressed the need for individuals, especially older adults, to regularly check their visual acuity and correct any deficits to optimize quality of life and protect against dementia.
Killeen echoed Small’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of getting routine eye care for early diagnosis and treatment of vision problems. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people aged 65 and older should have routine eye exams every one to two years.
Furthermore, a study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in March found that early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be detected through eye exams. Patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease were found to have higher levels of amyloid beta 42, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s plaques, and cells called microglia in their retinas.
In conclusion, this study highlights the link between vision problems in older adults and the increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. It underscores the importance of prioritizing eye health and receiving regular eye care to ensure early detection and treatment of vision problems, ultimately protecting against the onset of dementia.