Unlocking a Dementia-Free Future: Groundbreaking Discovery Reveals 1 in 5 Seniors Can Avoid the Disease
Preventing Vision Problems May Reduce Dementia Risk in Older Adults
There are many factors that cause dementia, the most feared disease as we age. A recent study listed 14 risk factors and suggested that addressing these factors could prevent or delay 45% of dementia cases.
However, a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that one in five cases of dementia in older adults could be prevented if vision problems were prevented or treated with surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States analyzed visual function assessment and cognitive function data from 2,767 American seniors aged 65 and older who had health insurance and did not reside in nursing homes or other institutions. Using the strength of the association between visual impairment and dementia, the researchers calculated the proportion of dementia cases that could be attributed to the three types of visual impairment, assuming a causal relationship.
Research has shown that about 5% of dementia cases are due to distance vision problems, about 10% to near vision problems, and about 15% to contrast sensitivity (the ability to distinguish colors and shades). This disorder, which involves difficulty seeing very small objects, is caused by a variety of eye diseases, the most common of which is cataracts. Cataracts are a condition in which the lens, a small, transparent disk inside the eye, becomes cloudy.
“It can be treated with cataract removal, a surgical procedure that reduces the risk of dementia in older adults by about 3 percent,” the researchers said. “19 percent of dementia cases can be attributed to at least one of these problems, but importantly, more than 90 percent of visual impairment is preventable or correctable,” they added.
Professor Ef Hogervorst of Loughborough University, who was not involved in the study, said: ”In addition to inactivity, vision loss can also contribute to dementia, because people who use their eyes less have reduced blood flow to their brain.” Professor Gill Livingstone, a dementia specialist at University College London, said: “Brain stimulation is important for keeping the brain healthy, and anything that makes it harder to get that stimulation, such as losing your eyesight or hearing, means you’re getting less cognitive stimulation.” He added: ”In the future, visiting your local ophthalmologist could be an effective screening tool for other common conditions, including dementia and cardiovascular disease, as well as eye disease.”
By addressing vision problems, older adults may be able to reduce their risk of developing dementia. Regular eye exams and proper treatment of vision problems can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia.
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