Older adults in the US with objectively measured visual impairments, especially multiple types, were significantly more likely to experience dementia, highlighting vision health as a potential lever for preserving cognitive function.
August 2023 – JAMA Ophthalmology
Key takeaways
- Multiple visual impairments increase dementia risk: Older adults with more than one type of visual impairment, such as reduced distance vision, near vision, and contrast sensitivity, had a significantly higher prevalence of dementia compared to those with a single impairment, suggesting a cumulative effect on cognitive decline and reinforcing the value of comprehensive vision assessments in later life for dementia risk monitoring
- Contrast sensitivity offers a new insight: Impaired contrast sensitivity, rarely measured in earlier research, showed a strong link to dementia. This highlights the importance of including this underutilised vision metric in routine assessments, as it may offer a previously overlooked indicator of cognitive decline, especially for individuals interested in preserving long-term brain health and function as they age
- Vision loss may be an under-recognised risk factor: With up to 100,000 dementia cases in the US potentially tied to visual impairment, the findings suggest vision loss should be recognised alongside other modifiable risk factors. Prioritising eye health in midlife and beyond could contribute meaningfully to broader strategies aiming to maintain cognitive performance and reduce dementia prevalence in older populations
- Routine vision checks could support brain health: The use of objective visual testing in a large, nationally representative sample shows the value of regular eye exams in ageing adults. Early detection and correction of impairments, especially contrast sensitivity and near vision, could serve as a practical and accessible strategy to promote brain health, cognitive longevity, and overall quality of life
Read the article at: Killeen, OJ, Zhou, Y, and Ehrlich, JR. “Objectively Measured Visual Impairment and Dementia Prevalence in Older Adults in the US.” JAMA Ophthalmology, 13 July 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.2854.
