Assessing bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment and late age‐related macular degeneration in the Age‐Related Eye Disease Study 2

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  • FGfor the AREDS2 Research Group
    for the AREDS2 Research Group
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Abstract
Introduction: We aimed to investigate bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment and late age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: Participants in the Age‐Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) received annual eye examinations and cognitive function testing (e.g., Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status [TICS‐M]). We examined bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment (e.g., a TICS‐M score < 30) and late AMD at 5 and 10 years.Results: Five thousand one hundred eighty‐nine eyes (3157 participants; mean age 72.7 years) were analyzed and followed for a median of 10.4 years. Eyes of participants with cognitive impairment at baseline were more likely to progress to late AMD at 5 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.43) and 10 years (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05–1.37) than eyes of participants without cognitive impairment. Worse baseline AMD severity was not associated with developing cognitive impairment.Discussion: Cognitive impairment is associated with late AMD progression in AREDS2. Our finding highlights the importance of eyecare for people with cognitive impairment.
Funding Information
  • National Eye Institute
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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