The visual disturbances that often occur in seniors can have very serious consequences if left untreated, warn researchers in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
According to researchers at the University of Michigan, vision problems should be viewed more as a potential sign of dementia than as one of its symptoms once the disease is diagnosed. Although visual impairment is quite common in seniors, researchers note that few of them seek help from an ophthalmologist.
The research material was based on data on 625 retirees participating in the national research program Health and Retirement Study in the years 1992 – 2005. The information shows that in the case of people with visual disturbances who at least once reported to an ophthalmologist, the risk of the development of dementia was 64 percent. lower than in respondents who avoided contact with a specialist. Only 10 percent. people who later developed dementia had no vision problems at the start of the study.
According to study author Dr. Mary Rogers, treatments that helped reduce the risk of dementia included cataract removal and treatments for glaucoma and other retinal diseases.
Treatment should not be taken lightly, the researchers say, because eye disease makes it difficult for seniors to perform activities that reduce the risk of dementia, such as reading, crossword puzzles and some physical exercise.
While cancer and cardiovascular related mortality is declining, the number of people dying from Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, says Dr. Rogers.
According to the data of the American government agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every fifth American after the age of 50 experiences some visual impairment. Since 1980, the number of Alzheimer’s sufferers has doubled to 5 million. Scientists estimate that up to 2050 million people will fall ill in 13 (PAP)