Eye health and dementia progression

Untreated Poor Vision in Seniors Linked to Dementia



This is an article from Right At Home's June Newsletter worthy of passing on.
Beverly

Experts have long known that dementia affects vision. strong>Now, new research shows that failing to treat visual problems may speed the progression of Alzheimer's and other memory loss.

According to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System, elderly people with untreated visual disorders are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. The study used Medicare data, and shows that those with poor vision who visited an ophthalmologist at least once for an examination were 64% less likely to develop dementia.

The study, which appeared in the American Journal of Epidemiology, may draw a new picture of poor vision as a predictor of dementia rather than as a symptom after the diagnosis.

"Visual problems can have serious consequences and are very common among the elderly, but many are not seeking treatment," says lead author Mary A.M. Rogers, Ph.D, research assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

For the study, Rogers and her colleague Kenneth M. Langa, M.D., Ph.D., professor of internal medicine, analyzed data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study, and records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The study was based on the surveys and medical information from 625 people compiled from 1992-2005.

Of those who developed dementia during the course of the study, only 10% had excellent vision at the beginning of the study. Of those who maintained normal cognition, 30% had excellent vision. "Our results indicate that it is important for elderly individuals with visual problems to seek medical attention so that the causes of the problems can be identified and treated," Rogers says.

The types of vision treatment that were helpful in lowering the risk of dementia were treatments for glaucoma, retinal disorders, and other eye-related problems; and surgery to correct cataracts.

Proper vision is a requirement for many of the activities that have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. These include reading, playing board games, other mentally stimulating activities, social networking, as well as physical activity such as walking and routine exercising. A visual disorder may interfere with normal mobility, and may also hinder a person's ability to participate in such activities.

Many Seniors Lack Vision Care Coverage, Eye Health Information

Vision problems and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities among adults, and can increase the risk of other health conditions and even premature death. So eye care is vital for healthy aging. However, according to Rogers, "Many elderly Americans lack adequate health coverage for vision exams, and Medicare does not cover preventative vision screenings for most beneficiaries. So it's not unusual that the elderly receive vision treatment only after a problem is severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor when the problem is more advanced."

In addition, according to a survey conducted by the National Eye Health Education Program, fewer than 11% of respondents understood that there are no early warning signs for eye problems such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

"While heart disease and cancer death rates are continuing to decline, mortality rates for Alzheimer's disease are on the rise," says Rogers. "If we can delay the onset of dementia, we can save individuals and their families from the stress, cost and burden that are associated with Alzheimer's."

Source: University of Michigan. Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute on Aging.

Learn More

The National Eye Institute offers consumer information about vision care and vision disorders.