A new study suggests that under-recognized and modifiable dementia is associated with impaired vision. In the study, the investigators determined population attributable fractions (PAFs) associated with dementia in 16,000 subjects.  A PAF is the number of dementia cases that could be prevented if a given risk factor was eliminated. The results published in JAMA Neurology reported that vision impairment PAFs were up to 1.8%, showing healthy vision prevented dementia in 1 lakh cases in the US.

Joshua Ehrlich MD, University of Michigan stated that blindness affects the overall health and well-being of an individual. Vision impairment and blindness are correctable in most cases ensuring independence and optimal aging in most adults. 

In 2020, The Lancet commission report identified lower-level education, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, diabetes, and air pollution as 12 common risk factors causing dementia. Together these factors account for 40% of dementia cases globally. However, Ehrlich was surprised that vision impairment has been ignored as a risk factor for dementia as most of these factors are used to frame healthcare policies and resource allocation. (Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972865?src= )