Wood, JoanneChaparro, AlexAnstey, KaarinLacherez, PhilippeChidgey, AaronEisemann, JaredGaynor, AlisonLa, Peter2015-12-071040-5488http://hdl.handle.net/1885/19509Purpose.: 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.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 impairment201010.1097/OPX.0b013e3181fe64d72016-02-24