What is the relationship between visual impairment and cognitive function in octogenarians?
Denise S de Kok, Ruth O Teh, Avinesh Pillai, Martin J Connolly, Tim J Wilkinson, Robert Jacobs, Marama Muru-Lanning, Anna Rolleston, Simon A Moyes, Dieuwke Schiphof, Ngaire Kerse
With an ageing population, it is projected that the prevalence of dementia will increase. Various modifiable risk factors for dementia have been established and vision loss is of particular interest because it is often treatable. Utilising data from the LiLACS NZ study, this study aims to examine the direct and indirect relationship between vision loss and cognition in more than 600 older adults born between 1920 and 1930. The study found that about one in five older adults have visual impairment and it is not associated with cognition. The relationship between visual impairment and cognition was influenced by one s ability to perform normal daily activities.