Simulated Visual Impairment Leads to Cognitive Slowing in Older Adults
Date
2010
Authors
Wood, Joanne
Chaparro, Alex
Anstey, Kaarin
Lacherez, Philippe
Chidgey, Aaron
Eisemann, Jared
Gaynor, Alison
La, Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Abstract
Purpose.: To investigate the impact of different levels of simulated visual impairment on the cognitive test performance of older adults and to compare this with previous findings in younger adults. Methods.: Cognitive performance was assessed in 30 visually normal, community-dwelling older adults (mean = 70.2 ± 3.9 years). Four standard cognitive tests were used including the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Trail Making Tests A and B, and the Stroop Color Word Test under three visual conditions: normal baseline vision and two levels of cataract simulating filters (Vistech), which were administered in a random order. Distance high-contrast visual acuity and Pelli-Robson letter contrast sensitivity were also assessed for all three visual conditions. Results.: Simulated cataract significantly impaired performance across all cognitive test performance measures. In addition, the impact of simulated cataract was significantly greater in this older cohort than in a younger cohort previously investigated. Individual differences in contrast sensitivity better predicted cognitive test performance than did visual acuity. Conclusions.: Visual impairment can lead to slowing of cognitive performance in older adults; these effects are greater than those observed in younger participants. This has important implications for neuropsychological testing of older populations who have a high prevalence of cataract.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: aging; Cognitive functions; Cognitive performance; Cognitive tests; Contrast sensitivity; High contrast; Individual Differences; Neuropsychological; Older adults; Older population; Visual acuity; Visual condition; Visual impairment; Brain; Ophthalmology; aging; cognitive function; contrast sensitivity, cataract; visual impairment
Citation
Collections
Source
Optometry and Vision Science
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description