Abstract
Purpose :
Older patients are prone to decreased cognitive function and visual impairment is associated with declined cognitive function. Elderly patients with eye diseases can have impaired cognition as a result of both decreased vision and aging. The purpose of this study was to compare the cognitive function of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) from a developing country.
Methods :
AMD and POAG patients and age-matched controls were included in this cross-sectional, observational study. After a complete eye examination including measurement of best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy, all subjects completed both the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). As the main outcome measure, the scores for each instrument were compared among the groups with ANOVA.
Results :
The sample comprised 94 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, 86 with ARMD and 102 controls. The mean age was 66.6 ± 10.4, 73.9 ± 7.0, and 70.9 ± 9.2 years, for POAG, AMD, and controls, respectively. The groups did not differ in gender, ethnicity, and comorbidity distribution. The MMSE score was 22.4 ± 4.6, 22.1 ± 4.0, and 25.8 ± 4.5 for POAG, AMD, and controls, respectively (P<0.001). In the MoCA test POAG patients scored 18.3 ± 5.8, AMD subjects 18.5 ± 5.5, and controls scored 24.9 ± 4.4 (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference between POAG and AMD patients in MMSE (P = 0.909) and MoCA scores (P = 0.970).
Conclusions :
Patients with POAG and AMD have lower cognitive function as compared to age-matched controls. This observation can have impact on everyday life and perceived quality of life.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.