Alzheimer’s disease begins in the brain decades before the onset of symptoms. Research shows that the mind stealing state appears to affect the retina.
Any intervention that improves your vision, including regular eye exams, can reduce your chance of developing dementia, one expert says.
Dr. Alun Barsam, consultant surgeon and co-founder of OCL Vision, said: “While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, as people age, people often look for ways to reduce the risk factors associated with it. recent research. The final step is to understand the potential link between eye health and the onset of dementia.
For example, a paper from the Weil Institute of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that retinal scans can detect key changes in blood vessels that could be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The results could provide important insights into how one of the most common Alzheimer’s-causing genes contributes to the disease, the researchers say.
What’s more, both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, caused by damage to brain cells, appear to affect the retina.
While there are currently no eye tests that can help diagnose dementia, scientific developments show some potential in this area.
Based on these findings, Barsam said, regular eye exams could reduce the risk of a mind-stealing condition.
He explained: “Alzheimer’s disease does not and cannot cause vision or eye problems, but because of the high rate of visual impairment in people with this disease, studies show that this may be a risk factor. And if these vision problems can be addressed and corrected, it could go a long way in preventing dementia.”
He added: “This means that any intervention that improves a patient’s vision, such as cataract surgery or even regular eye exams, can reduce the likelihood of developing the disease. More research is needed in this area, but if the evidence becomes strong, it could be an important step forward in understanding risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and ways to prevent it.”
Experts recommend having your eyes checked every two years for most people. However, if you notice any vision problems, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible.
In addition to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, maintaining good vision can also benefit those who already suffer from brain disease.
“In addition, patients with dementia often suffer from mental confusion, so anything that accurately increases their sensory input, such as good vision, can reduce some of the associated symptoms,” explained Dr. Barsam.
While the current research is promising, there is not yet enough information to establish a strong link between eye health and dementia.
Source: Express
