Dementia Support Line
Sight Loss
It’s not just hearing that impacts our social connection and increases dementia risk. One new area of research and evidence is that untreated vision issues also add to dementia risk. Like hearing loss, this is believed to be because the impact of sight loss is more than being unable to see clearly – it impacts on cognition and socialisation.
Globally, 20% of people have sight loss, with an especial prevalence in low-income countries, although the risks could be modified if steps are taken to address this. Cataracts and diabetic retinopathy have the strongest evidential link, and we should be especially proactive in testing and monitoring these issues.
Read more about the link between sight loss and dementia risk here:
Visual impairment and dementia risk – Alzheimer’s Research UK