Visual impairment link to dementia

A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan Health System has found that elderly people with untreated visual disorders are significantly more likely to develop dementia and in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. Using data supplied by Medicare the study shows that those with poor vision, who visited an ophthalmologist for an examination were 64% less likely to develop dementia.

The study demonstrated the importance for elderly individuals with visual problems to seek medical attention. Treatments that were helpful in lowering the risk of dementia were surgery to correct cataracts and treatments for glaucoma, retinal disorders and other eye-related problems.

Physical activities such as walking and mentally stimulating activities such as socializing or reading have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Of course nearly all of these require adequate vision. Sadly, many elderly Americans do not have adequate health coverage for vision exams and Medicare does not cover preventive vision screenings. As we all know, mainstream medical practice does not recognise prevention. Unfortunately, the elderly usually receive vision treatment only after a problem is severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor and this is usually only once the problem is in an advanced stage. Most people do not realize that many eye problems are impossible to detect until the damage is done. Few conditions have warning signs.

Poor vision and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities among adults and can result in a greater tendency to experience other health conditions or even premature death. Mortality rates for Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise, which highlights the need to delay the onset of dementia.

The study concluded that only 10% of Medicare beneficiaries who developed dementia had excellent vision at the beginning of the study, while 30% of those who maintained normal cognition had excellent vision at the onset of the study.

In the US, 1 in 5 of those who are over 50 report experiencing a visual impairment. Approximately 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and this figure has doubled since 1980, so at the current rate there could be 13 million sufferers by 2050.