Senior Spotlight: The Connection Between Vision Issues & Dementia
A just-released study suggests that untreated vision loss may put older adults at an increased risk of dementia!
Today US News & World Report has released the findings of a study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health that proposes a groundbreaking (but not yet understood) connection between eye conditions and cognitive decline.
Lead researcher Beibei Xu, an Associate Professor at Peking University in China, led a team of researchers who reviewed 16 research papers featuring 76,000 participants. Findings included:
| The likelihood of having some form of cognitive impairment was 137% higher in seniors who had trouble seeing than in those without vision issues.
| Those who had a vision condition had a 41% higher risk of impairment and 44% higher odds for full-blown dementia.
| There was an increased risk no matter whether seniors had reported the vision issues or they were found by a doctor.
Xu states that “Although the reasons behind this remain unclear, it suggests that diagnosing and treating eye conditions may be beneficial -- both to improve a person's quality of life and also to potentially slow down or stop memory loss.”
While we all know that health management is an important part of aging, this study emphasizes the importance of regular eye examinations for older adults. In addition, self-reported changes in eyesight should be taken seriously and not just viewed as a normal part of aging to be complacent with.
This suggested connection between vision changes and dementia is definitely an area of health & wellness to follow in the months and years to come as we learn more about the reasons behind it.
Resource Used: Vision Issues Could Raise Odds for Dementia
All my best,
Bobbi
Bobbi Decker
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