Good news for the elderly.. A new revelation about Alzheimer’s may tip the scales

While this is good news for the elderly who fear aging-related diseases of the mind, a recent study by the Gama Ophthalmology Center revealed that there is a relationship between low vision problems among the elderly in the United States and their dementia.

The results of the study showed a link between all types of vision problems, such as myopia, farsightedness, and color contrast sensitivity, and a greater possibility of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, the results of which were published in a report by the “Fox News” channel, included data from 2,967 people whose age is at least 71 years old, collected annually through home interviews, and the process began in 2015, and the previously mentioned age of the participants was in 2021.

The lead author of the study, Olivia Killen, said that our assumption of a relationship between vision problems and dementia is due to the presence of previous studies that indicated the existence of such a link, pointing out that “eye health and mental health are strongly associated with the elderly.”

A glimmer of hope to avoid injury

She also explained that the study is “unique” because it tested vision for all participants in the study, which allowed analyzing the association between vision and dementia, noting that despite this relationship, the good news is that vision problems can be treated.

Killeen stated that, thus, treating vision problems could be a major key to reducing the risk of dementia, and stressed that prevention is a key factor in improving visual or cognitive outcomes.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people 65 and older have routine eye exams every year or two.