Eye tests may predict dementia risk early

A new study shows that eye tests can indicate a risk of dementia up to 12 years before diagnosis. Researchers examined 8,623 healthy individuals in Norfolk, England, and found slower visual processing in those who later developed dementia. The study suggests that visual issues may signal early cognitive decline, as amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer’s may first impact vision-related brain areas. The researchers noted that vision tests could detect deficits earlier than memory tests. Additionally, the study found that people with dementia often struggle to recognize faces and process visual information. The research was conducted by a team from Loughborough University and published in Scientific Reports.