Why losing your eyesight could be sign of dementia

SUFFERING from an eye condition could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s, scientists warn.

People with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy were all found to be at a greater risk of Alzheimer’s, a study found. Any of these eye problems brings a 40% to 50% higher chance of developing the condition, which robs people of their memories.

It could be because the eye is ‘the window to the brain’, and displays the same degeneration which is happening in the mind.

Lead author Dr Cecilia Lee, from the University of Washington, said: ‘We don’t mean that people with these eye conditions will get Alzheimer’s disease. The main message is that ophthalmologists should be more aware of the risks of developing dementia for people with these eye conditions – and primarycare doctors seeing patients with these eye conditions might be more careful on checking on possible dementia or memory loss.’

Glaucoma is caused by fluid which builds up in the front part of the eye, damaging the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain.

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision and can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, which damages the retina because of high blood sugar levels.

Experts examined the eyes of 3,877 patients aged over 65 and screened them for Alzheimer’s over an average follow-up period of five years. Over that time, 792 people had this form of dementia diagnosed.