Recent research has revealed a significant connection between vision impairment / eye health and an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that nearly one in five dementia cases could be linked to visual problems. A recently published study analyzing data from over 2,500 American adults over the age of 65 noticed some interesting patterns, and it may become an increasingly important part of dementia care and prevention going forward.
What The Study Found
The study found that up to 19% of dementia cases among the participants were associated with at least one form of vision impairment. These impairments included difficulties with near acuity, which affects someone’s ability to see objects up close; distance acuity, which involves seeing details at a distance; and contrast sensitivity, the ability to clearly see and understand the outline and details of small objects. The breakdown of associated dementia cases was notable: nearly 10% were linked to near acuity issues, about 5% to distance acuity problems, and 15% to impaired contrast sensitivity.
Particularly vulnerable groups included participants in advanced age groups and women, aligning with past research indicating that women, who generally live longer, are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The longer someone lives, the more likely they are to develop age-related conditions, meaning women may need to take greater precautions in caring for their body, such as eye care, to limit the chances of conditions like dementia.
Over 90% of the vision impairments identified are preventable or correctable, and these findings may emphasize the need for regular eye examinations and proper eye care as integral parts of dementia prevention strategies, even more so than they are now.
As always, the studies you see in the news rarely have an immediate, earth-shattering impact on current scientific knowledge. The general understanding of dementia improves slowly over time, and recommendations for healthcare professionals are updated when studies like these are replicated over a long period. However, while the study stops short of declaring a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it strongly suggests that improving eye health could play a role in reducing dementia incidence.
Steps to Maintain and Improve Eye Health
Even if we are currently unsure of whether eye health has a direct impact on the likelihood of dementia forming, it’s always a good idea to keep every part of your body in tip-top shape. Some effective strategies for seniors and their caregivers to consider aimed at preserving eye health include:
Comprehensive, Annual Eye Exams: Regular, comprehensive eye exams are one of the most effective ways to maintain eye health. Eye health professionals can detect early signs of deterioration or diseases like glaucoma and cataracts before they lead to more significant vision impairment. Early detection often means more effective treatment, which can slow down or even entirely reverse eye conditions’ progression in its track. Eye exams don’t stop eye issues from happening in the first place, but they empower you to make necessary changes to prevent long-term problems.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Lifestyle changes can definitely significantly impact eye health. The most straightforward changes to attempt include wearing sunglasses to protect against UV rays (especially in Florida), reducing screen time to avoid digital eye strain, and quitting smoking, which is often linked to macular degeneration (the part of the retina associated with central vision) and cataracts.
Nutritional Support: Many nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and various common vitamins, can help ward off age-related vision issues. Without a varied diet, many seniors may be missing these key building blocks of the body and place their eyes at greater risk. We recently talked about how seniors can track their caloric and macronutrient intake. Through this process, they can also track their micronutrient intake to ensure they get enough of these helpful compounds daily.
Dementia doesn’t have to be the end of the story. If a loved one is struggling with dementia and is not thriving with at-home care, assisted living with integrated memory care can help.
Contact A Banyan Residence today for more information and to schedule a tour of our facility.
