Washington, February 25: Seniors with poor vision, particularly untreated eye problems, are at an increased risk of developing dementia in the long run, a new study finds.
According to the study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, vision problems may precede the diagnosis of dementia by years.
Seniors with poor vision even with corrective lenses are five- to 10- times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia over the next 8.5 years.
Treating the eye condition is believed to be associated with a lower risk of developing cognitive problems, the study found.
“The bottom line is that older individuals with an eye problem should seek medical attention for that eye problem,” said lead researcher Mary A.M. Rogers.
Scientists, however, stressed that their findings do not prove that vision problems contribute to dementia or that one can protect against cognitive decline through receiving required eye care.
——–Agencies