Cataract Extraction Is Associated with Lower Risk for All-Cause Dementia

Vision impairment is a risk factor for dementia, but whether restoring vision lowers this risk is unclear. Researchers used data from the Adult Changes in Thought study, a U.S. population-based prospective study of 5500 randomly selected, cognitively normal older adults (age, ≥65) to determine whether cataract extraction — which can restore vision — is associated with lower risk for dementia.

Among 3000 participants with cataract or glaucoma at enrollment or documented subsequently, dementia was diagnosed in 28% during mean follow-up of 8 years (with biennial assessments). About half (46%) of these 3000 participants underwent cataract surgery during follow-up. In analyses adjusted for multiple variables, participants who underwent cataract e…