Treating eyesight issues could prevent one in five dementia cases, study finds

Up to 19% of dementia cases in older people could be attributed to vision impairments, research suggests

The study, published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology Yesterday , found that five and 19 per cent of dementia cases in the US might be connected to a sufferer’s impaired vision.

The study used data from 2767 older adults to find that up to 19 per cent of dementia cases within the group could be attributed to at least one vision impairment

However, the researchers acknowledged they had not yet fully determined that vision issues caused these dementia cases, though it is “possible” preventing vision problems could help prevent dementia.

According to Dementia Australia, current data suggests the illness could soon become Australia’s leading cause of death.

In 2024, it is estimated that more than 421,000 Australians live with dementia.

Barring a medical breakthrough, this is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054.

Younger onset dementia is estimated to affect almost 29,000 people in their 30s, 40s, and 40s, in 2024.