BAD VISION MISTAKEN FOR BRAIN DECLINE

Millions of older people with poor vision are at risk of being misdiagnosed with mild cognitive impairments, according to a new study by the University of South Australia. The researchers found that cognitive tests that rely on vision-dependent tasks could be skewing results in up to a quarter of people aged over 50 who have undiagnosed visual problems such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). UniSA PhD researcher Anne Macnamara, who led the study, says the results are a reminder that visual impairments – which affect about 200 million people worldwide over the age of 50 – unfairly affect cognitive scores when tests involve visual abilities.

“A mistaken score in cognitive tests could have devastating ramifications, leading to unnecessary changes to a person’s living, working, financial or social circumstances,” says Macnamara.

“For example, if a mistaken score contributed to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, it could trigger psychological problems including depression and anxiety.“Visual impairments are often overlooked in research and clinical settings, the UniSA researchers say, with reduced vision underestimated in up to 50 per cent of older adults. “Mobile apps can now be used to overlay simulated visual impairments onto test materials when piloting their stimuli,” says Macnamara.