Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure that removes cataracts, the cloudy formations on the eye's lens that impair vision. Now, researchers are discovering that vision loss may be linked to a higher rate of dementia, and restoring clear vision through cataract surgery may reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Is There a Correlation Between Cataracts and Dementia?

More than half of those aged 80 or older have had at least one cataract. Many people in this age range also have dementia, a decline in cognitive functioning. But is there a connection between these two seemingly unrelated conditions?

Recent studies suggest there could be. One 15-year study found that patients with age-related vision problems, including cataracts, had a higher incidence of dementia. A 2021 study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology followed 12,000 subjects aged 55–73 and found that cataract patients had an 11% higher incidence of dementia compared to patients with healthy vision.

Can Cataract Surgery Prevent Dementia?

A 2022 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that removing cataracts was significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia development. Patients who had undergone cataract surgery had a 29% lower rate of dementia. MRI scans have also shown greater brain activity following cataract surgery.

How Can Vision Loss Cause Dementia?

Scientists studying this link suspect that vision loss negatively impacts the brain. The more visual information we receive, the more active our brains are, and brain activity may be able to fend off dementia. By restoring clear vision, cataract surgery may stimulate the brain and prevent cognitive decline.

There could also be a social and emotional dimension. People who suffer from significant vision loss often feel isolated, and social isolation raises the risk of developing dementia.

If you have cataracts and feel your quality of life is affected, schedule an appointment with Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio without delay. Call (937) 228-2020.