Study: “Eye Problems” Linked to Early Symptoms of Dementia
A new study has revealed a link between eye problems and the onset of dementia, as the earliest signs of cognitive decline often begin with vision.
According to ScienceAlert, there is a relationship between decreased “visual sensitivity,” which enables people to discern fine details or subtle color contrasts, and dementia, beginning at least 12 years before its appearance.
Scientists believe that visual problems are an important indicator of dementia because “amyloid plaques” – toxic protein clumps harmful to nerve cells – often initially affect brain areas responsible for vision before extending to memory as the disease progresses.
Visual abilities decline in Alzheimer‘s patients; they lose the ability to distinguish object boundaries, details, and certain colors, especially shades of blue and green, which are affected early in dementia cases.
Difficulty controlling eye movement is also considered an early sign of Alzheimer‘s, as external distractions can easily attract the attention of those affected; Alzheimer‘s patients struggle to avoid distractions, which is evident in eye movement.
Considering the link between visual sensitivity and memory performance, researchers believe that eye movement may enhance memory, explaining why individuals who watch television and read have better memory and a lower risk of dementia.
