In 2017, the Lancet Commission released its findings. The Lancet Commission released its findings in 2017. They stated that the factors included high blood pressure and obesity.
Since then, they’ve added pollution, traumatic head injury, and high alcohol consumption. A team of researchers hopes that the Commission will now add impaired vision as a risk factor.
Can vision impairment reduce cognitive function?
There are several ways that visual impairment can affect cognitive function.
Decreased concentration: If you are having trouble seeing clearly, it may be difficult for you to focus on something for too long. It can be difficult to remember information from textbooks or lectures, and it may make it hard for you to take tests. Our ability to concentrate may decrease as we age. We might even stop trying. This can lead us to feel isolated.
Decrease in working memory– Working memory is a short-term memory which helps us to store information and use it later. You may not be able to remember information more than a couple of seconds if you have impaired vision. Inability to recall things can cause people to skip past us because they don’t want to bother us.
An increased stress level– Many people with poor vision feel stressed or anxious because they do not want to make mistakes while performing tasks. This can lead to an increase in heart rate and blood-pressure levels, which leads to more stress and anxiety. Frustration is a major factor, as with the two other issues. We struggle to retain a part of our former selves.
This issue, along with what researchers believe now, is just another reason to add vision impairments to the Lancet Commission’s efforts. Dr. Rojas – a coauthor of the latest study – explained that the system must be stimulated in order to function at its best. The frustration of not being able see can lead to a person giving up. The stimulation will therefore decrease.
What changes can be made to increase aid for vision issues?
The Lancet Commission has made efforts to inform the public about modifiable risk factors. There are ways to improve our vision as we age. The traditional Medicare system, for example, does not cover vision adequately. This simple step alone could help thousands, if no more. Supporting eye health in younger age groups can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
