Mind & Mood
Older adults with vision problems face higher dementia risks
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Older adults with vision problems face significantly higher risks of dementia, a new analysis suggests.
The study, published online July 13, 2023, by JAMA Ophthalmology, built on earlier data from a nationally representative survey of older adults conducted in 2021. Researchers performed vision and cognitive tests on nearly 3,000 adults 71 and older (average age 77, 55% women). They assessed participants' up-close and distance vision on a digital tablet and administered tests of memory and thinking ability. Participants also provided medical records that included any existing diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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