© Shutterstock

What is dementia? -

Dementia is actually the term used to describe a group of symptoms rather than a specific disease. It involves declining mental function that is severe enough to interfere with everyday life.

© Shutterstock

Symptoms of dementia -

Someone who has dementia experiences a decline in two or more of the following: memory, reasoning, language, coordination, mood, and behavior.

© Shutterstock

When does dementia develop? -

Dementia is considered a late-in-life disease because it usually impacts older people.

© Shutterstock

Who gets dementia? -

Approximately 5% to 8% of individuals who are 65 and older have some form of dementia. Of those who are 85 and up, around half have dementia.

© Shutterstock

Ethnic break down -

People who are 65 and older who have Alzheimer's-related dementia can be broken down by race. Approximately 14% are black, 12% Hispanic, 10% are non-Hispanic whites, 9% are American Indian and Alaksa natives, and 8% are Asian and Pacific Islanders.

© Shutterstock

How common is dementia? -

It is projected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that by 2060, 14 million people, or 3.3% of the population, in the US will have dementia.

© Shutterstock

Does memory loss always signify the start of dementia? -

No, there are many reasons and causes of memory loss. Also, memory loss occurs naturally as we age. Only when it becomes debilitating does it enter the realm of dementia. 

© Shutterstock

Types of dementia -

Dementia is divided into three categories: primary, secondary, and reversible. It's considered a primary case when dementia is the main illness. Secondary dementia is caused by another disease or condition, and reversible dementia is when dementia-like symptoms occur but aren't actually dementia.

© Shutterstock

Signs that dementia is getting worse -

Some tale-tell signs that dementia is worsening include depression, memory problems, personality changes, and even aggression.

© Shutterstock

Commonalities with other conditions -

A dementia diagnosis can be challenging as other conditions and diseases can cause it. Dementia also shares a lot of symptoms with other illnesses.

© Shutterstock

How is dementia diagnosed? -

Doctors will first assess if a patient has a different underlying condition that is potentially treatable. If nothing proves applicable then they can do cognitive and neurological tests, brain scans, psychiatric evaluations, genetic tests, or blood tests. It's important to catch symptoms as early as possible because some can actually be treated.

© Shutterstock

Is dementia treatable? -

Most types of dementia can be treated but aren't reversible or curable. In other words, the symptoms can be managed but they will never completely go away.

© Shutterstock

How do changes in your vision signal dementia? -

If you experience vision loss or significant vision changes, these can be early warning signs of dementia. 

© Shutterstock

Visual processing -

Our eyes take in the world around us, so if you're not processing information visually, it can impact your brain function.

© Shutterstock

Risk factors -

According to the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care, there are 14 lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of dementia. 

© Shutterstock

Risk factors -

It's reported that 45% of all dementia cases are potentially preventable by improving these 14 factors. They include untreated vision loss, untreated hearing loss, and social isolation.

© Shutterstock

Risk factors -

Other risk factors include depression, diabetes, obesity, and high LDL cholesterol.

© Shutterstock

Risk factors -

The final of the 14 factors include hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, traumatic brain injuries, air pollution, and not completing secondary education.

© Shutterstock

Is everything related? -

It's speculated that everything is tied together. For example, vision changes can lead to further changes ultimately leading to dementia, or changes in the brain related to dementia could impact vision.

© Shutterstock

Recent study results -

A recent study shows vision sensitivity to be a possible predictor of dementia. The major study was conducted over almost 15 years, and researchers found that 533 of 8,623 participants (aged 48 to 92) developed dementia.

© Shutterstock

How the study was performed -

All 8,623 individuals had to do a small vision test at the beginning of the study. They had to hit the space bar of the keyboard when they saw a triangle form within a field of moving dots on the computer screen.

© Shutterstock

More about the study -

The 533 participants who eventually developed dementia showed slower visual processing speed and reaction times compared to those who didn't develop it.

© Shutterstock

Do problems with your vision always mean dementia? -

Vision loss and changes to your vision don’t always mean you'll develop dementia, however, they can increase your risk of developing the condition later in life.

© Shutterstock

Family ties -

If dementia is in your family, make sure you focus on reducing the 14 aforementioned lifestyle risk factors.

© Shutterstock

Corrected vision -

Be sure to get your vision corrected as soon as possible and in the best way you can. By reducing vision issues such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, you can help reduce your risk of developing dementia.

© Shutterstock

FAQ : What do dementia eyes look like? -

It's common for those with advanced dementia to have glassy or glazed eyes and to stare blankly into space.

© Shutterstock

FAQ: Am I having hallucinations or changes in vision? -

Hallucinations are defined as visions or perceptions of something that other people in the same situation can't see or perceive. Vision changes may be mistaken for hallucinations in people with dementia.

© Shutterstock

FAQ: How can a caregiver help? -

Scheduling an annual eye doctor check-up is a great way to help yourself and your loved ones, If something is detected, it can be addressed quickly.

Sources: (Clevland Clinic) (Healthline)

See also: Eye exams: why they're important, and how they work

© Shutterstock