Is There a Link Between
Dementia and Cataracts ?
Courtesy KEY-WHITMAN EYE CENTER
As we get older , the risk of developing dementia increases . According to the Alzheimer ’ s Association , 1 in 6 adults over the age of 65 will develop dementia , and this number rises to one in three people over the age of 85 . Despite these sobering statistics , there is some evidence that cataract treatment may help reduce the risk of dementia .
Keep reading to learn how our team at Key-Whitman Eye Center can help treat your cataracts , protect your vision , and perhaps even reduce your risks of dementia and other diseases .
What Are Cataracts ? Cataracts are a common condition that affect millions of Americans . They occur when the eye ' s lens becomes clouded , and , making it difficult to see clearly . Cataracts often develop slowly and painlessly , and they can eventually lead to blindness if left untreated .
While cataracts are most commonly associated with aging , they can also be caused by other factors such as exposure to ultraviolet ( UV ) light , smoking , and diabetes . Trauma to the eye is another cause of cataracts .
New Research and Statistics Dementia affects nearly fifty million people worldwide , and there are currently no effective treatments for the condition . However , recent research has shown that there may be a link between untreated cataracts and dementia . A recent study supported by the National Institute on Aging and published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people with cataracts were more likely to develop dementia than those without cataracts . In another study also published this year in JAMA found that people who had surgery to remove their cataracts were less likely to develop dementia than those who did not have surgery .
While the exact relationship between cataracts and dementia is not yet known , it is possible that treating cataracts may help reduce the risk of dementia . If you are 65 or over and have cataracts , you should talk to your eye doctor about treatment options .
Treatment Options For Cataracts Cataract surgery is one of the most performed surgeries with over 4 million procedures performed in the United States every year and
over 28 million all over the world . They are treated by removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant . Surgery to remove cataracts is a safe and straightforward procedure which is usually performed in an out-patient surgery facility .
Other than the traditional monofocal intraocular lens with one focal point usually to correct distance , there are many elective options available including high technology lenses used to replace the cataract and reduce or eliminate the need for corrective glasses or contact lenses afterwards . These include the new Light Adjustable Lens by RxSight which allows the patient to choose their final outcome by changing the power in the lens after surgery and the patient ’ s choice of power is finalized in the “ lock-in ” adjustment . Additionally , there are lenses with multi-focal focus points , trifocal lenses and extended depth of focus lenses which each come in an option to treat astigmatism as well . Depending on several factors including dilated pupil size , your surgeon may also opt to use the femtosecond laser to perform some of the most delicate portions of the surgery even further improving the safety and accuracy of the surgery .
Cataract Treatments in Dallas / Ft . Worth If you are noticing changes in your vision , talk to your doctor about all the treatment options available to you . Keep in mind , cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to improve your vision , and as the studies indicate , it may also help reduce your risk of dementia .
Contact Key-Whitman Eye Center today to schedule your eye exam and learn more about your cataract treatment options at one of our 9 office locations throughout the Dallas / Ft . Worth metroplex .
22 • MAY / JUNE 2022