2023-07-23 20:00:00
Written by Fatima Khalil Sunday, July 23, 2023 11:00 PM As you get older, your risk increases dementiaHowever, there are many factors associated with aging that can increase the risk of developing dementia that interfere with your daily activities, and one of these factors is vision loss, and in this report we provide tips for eye health care to reduce the risk of dementia, according to the “Times of India” website.
And a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that older people with vision problems may be more likely to develop dementia, and the research added that the more types of vision problems a person has, the higher the chances of developing dementia.
What are the different types of vision problems?
There are three main types of vision problems – distance sharpness, near sharpness, and contrast sensitivity. According to the American Optometric Association, distance acuity (visual acuity) is a measure of the clarity or acuity of vision from a distance of 20 feet. This is usually tested by having the person read the letters on a Snellen chart.
Close acuity measures how closely a person can see something. Contrast sensitivity measures an individual’s ability to distinguish between an object and the background once morest which it is set, or between two similar colors.
Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study, which showed a link between all types of vision problems and an increased prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The research included national data from 2,967 participants aged 71 and over.
How are brain and eye function related?
“Mental stimulation keeps neural circuits activated and strong, protecting the brain from age-related decline,” said Dr. Gary Small, MD, chief of psychiatry and behavioral health physician at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.
“Losing visual stimulation will lead to withdrawal and reduced mental engagement,” added Dr. Small, who was not involved in the study.
Vision problems are largely preventable
Most vision problems can be treated. “For example, cataracts are a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly, and vision loss from cataracts can be reversed through cataract surgery,” said lead study author Olivia Klein, MD, clinical lecturer in ophthalmology and visual sciences at the university.
Because vision impairment is associated with dementia, treating vision problems may be one of the keys to reducing the risk of dementia.”
It is important for anyone, especially the elderly, to regularly check their visual acuity and correct deficiencies to improve quality of life and protect once morest dementia.
Eye care tips
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and fatty fish.
Maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
Exercise may help prevent and control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol — diseases that can lead to certain eye or vision problems.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV rays Exposure to sunlight can damage your eyes and increase your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Avoid smoking as it increases the risk of age-related eye diseases.
If you wear contact lenses, be sure to prevent infection by washing your hands thoroughly before putting in or removing contact lenses. Follow the instructions on how to clean them properly and replace them when needed.
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, you can forget to blink and your eyes can get tired. To reduce eye strain, try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away regarding 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.
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