According to a new scientific study, the diseases related to eyes such as cataracts and macular degeneration, increase the risk of dementia.
Decreased vision can be one of the first signs of dementia and the reduction in visual stimuli is believed to gradually worsen the disease. Some small studies in the past have suggested that there may be a link between eye condition and cognitive impairment. New research confirms that there is such a correlation.
The researchers, led by Dr. Xiangwen Sang of the Department of Ophthalmology at Guadong’s Academy of Medical Sciences, who published the study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, analyzed data from 12,364 people aged 55 to 73 years. time (between 2006-2021). During this period, 2,304 cases of dementia were recorded.
Compared to those who did not have eye problems, the risk of dementia was on average 26% higher for people with age-related macular degeneration, 11% higher for those with cataracts and 61% higher for those with eye diseases due to diabetes. The risk of Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) was not found to increase in the case of glaucoma, but it was higher for vascular dementia.
Also, according to the study, people who had a heart attack, stroke, depression or diabetes in the past were at higher risk of dementia. The coexistence of an ocular disease further increased the risk of dementia.
The article These eye conditions can cause dementia published in NewsIT .