Nearly a fifth of dementia cases could be linked to vision problems, new research shows.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology today, found that five and 19 per cent of dementia cases in the US might be connected to a sufferer’s impaired vision.
The researchers said this meant treatment and prevention of such problems had the potential to reduce dementia rates.
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The study used data from 2767 older adults to find that up to 19 per cent of dementia cases within the group could be attributed to at least one vision impairment.
Contrast sensitivity issues were the most strongly linked to dementia.
Near visual acuity and distance visual acuity were also found to be linked.
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However, the researchers acknowledged they had not yet fully determined that vision issues caused these dementia cases, though it is “possible” preventing vision problems could help prevent dementia.
It’s only in the past few years that scientists have begun increasingly to link sight issues to dementia, with hearing loss previously ranked at the top of modifiable risk factors.
According to Dementia Australia, current data suggests the illness could soon become Australia’s leading cause of death.
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It is already in the second spot and it is the leading cause of death for Australian women.
In 2024, it is estimated that more than 421,000 Australians live with dementia.
Barring a medical breakthrough, this is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054.
Younger onset dementia is estimated to affect almost 29,000 people in their 30s, 40s, and 40s, in 2024.
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