Amid the increasing number of dementia cases across the world, new research has made some shocking revelations. Scientists have found that a rapid decline in vision can be a sign of dementia.

Amid the increasing number of dementia cases across the world, new research has made some shocking revelations. Scientists have found that a rapid decline in vision can be a sign of dementia. That is, people whose eyesight is rapidly weakening are at a higher risk of developing amnesia.

This research conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, America, found that 20 percent of people aged 71 years or older showed that as their eyesight deteriorated, their memory also weakened. Researchers said that earlier studies had found a link between hearing loss and dementia, but the fact that the effect of poor eyesight on the brain is the cause of dementia is a new revelation.

How was the study conducted?

Researchers gave the people involved in the study the task of remembering pictures. 5 percent of the people who had poor distant vision showed signs of dementia. Whereas, 10 percent of those with nearsightedness and 15 percent of those with blurred vision had memory problems. Researchers said that if the poor vision of these participants had been taken seriously, dementia could have been prevented in about 20 percent of the cases.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dementia is a disease in which brain cells are gradually destroyed, affecting memory, thinking ability, and decision-making ability. Some common symptoms of dementia include:

- Loss of memory

- Difficulty learning new things

- Losing objects

- Problems with language

- Losing sense of time and place

- Difficulty making decisions

- Mood swings

- Changes in personality

Relationship between vision and brain

This research shows that the eyes are not only for seeing but are also connected to the brain. The information received through the eyes stimulates the brain and helps in keeping it healthy. When the eyesight is weak, the brain gets less stimulation, due to which the brain cells become less active, and the risk of dementia increases.