February 22, 2010
Visual disorders left untreated in elderly people could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The findings are based on a University of Michigan Health System study.
Doctors looked at the Medicare information from 625 people compiled for 13 years.
They found those with poor vision who visited an Ophthalmologist at least once for an exam, were 64 percent less likely to develop Dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of Dementia.
Researchers say it's important that the elderly receive medical attention for their vision problems.
Results also indicate various types of treatments are helpful in lowering the risk of Dementia.
Those include surgery to correct cataracts and treatments for retinal disorders.
This study appears in the American Journal of Epidemiology.