One sign in your eyes could signal dementia later in life, warn experts

In a revolutionary study, scientists have determined one thing in the eye that can reveal whether or not you will develop dementia later in life. Dementia is a progressive cognitive disorder that causes patients to lose their memories, basic body function and even their personalities. As per the National Institutes of Health, dementia affects more than 6 million Americans and leads to more than 100,000 deaths every year. While memory loss is the prime indicator of dementia, there are other symptoms that can reveal the potential development of the disorder. As per a study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the retina holds a clue to the future diagnosis of dementia. For the unaware, the retina is the tissue that lines the back of the eyes. It captures the images, processes them into signals for the brain to read, and turns them into vision. It is an extremely light-sensitive area and any injuries to it can be devastating to your eyesight. As per Chinese researchers, the thickness of the retina could help predict where a person has Alzheimer's. The scientists analysed 30,000 adults for nearly a decade and realised that those with a thinner retina were at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Participants of the study underwent retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and noted that with each unit of decrease in retinal thickness, the risk of dementia increased by three per cent. If a person had a thinner retina covering the central part, they were 41 per cent more likely to develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD) than those who had thicker layers.The researchers believe the disorder is linked with Alzheimer's as the optic nerve forms a part of the central nervous system. Thus, as the eyes start to wear down over time and the retina becomes thinner, they could also show a brain decline. In a follow-up with patients nine years later, 148 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's while eight were diagnosed with FTD, thus making the findings true. According to the National Institute on Aging, dementia is the result of changes in certain regions of the brain that cause the nerve cells and their connections to stop working properly. In some cases, rare genetic variants causing dementia have also been identified. As per the NHS, dementia can affect:memory losschange in thinking speeda change in mental sharpness and quicknessdifficulty with language, such as using words incorrectly, or having trouble speakingunderstandingjudgementmoodmovementdifficulties doing daily activitiesWhile there's no knowledge of what can certainly prevent dementia, leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of the disorder. Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.