Dementia

Dementia, Sight Loss & Hearing – What You Need to Know

Dementia affects more than 850,000 people in the UK, including over 40,000 under the age of 65. While it is more common in older adults, this group is also at increased risk of vision and hearing loss—making regular eye and hearing tests more important than ever.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms including:

Memory loss
Confusion
Personality changes
Difficulty with everyday tasks

It is caused by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

The Link Between Dementia and Sight Loss

Nearly 1 in 3 people with dementia also experience significant sight loss. In many cases, a simple updated glasses prescription can make a big difference—but symptoms of dementia can sometimes mask these visual changes.

Common Causes of Sight Loss in Dementia:

Eye conditions such as cataracts
Health issues like stroke
Age-related changes to the eyes
Dementia-related brain changes that affect vision

Even if the eyes are healthy, dementia can change how the brain processes visual information, leading to difficulties with:

Reading and writing
Recognising faces
Finding objects and food
Adapting to changes in light
Moving safely through spaces

Eye Care Tips for People Living with Dementia

Supporting someone with dementia? These tips can help:

Ensure glasses are clean, up to date, and comfortable
Use bright, even lighting throughout the home
Reduce glare and eliminate shadows
Choose plain backgrounds to improve visual contrast
Use eye drops exactly as prescribed
Let your Optometrist know if the person has dementia

Our experienced optometrists can help distinguish between visual changes due to eye health and those linked to dementia.

Don’t Overlook Charles Bonnet Syndrome

This condition causes visual hallucinations in people with significant sight loss. It is often misdiagnosed as a symptom of dementia but is not caused by cognitive decline.

Find out more about Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Hearing Loss and Dementia Risk

Research shows a strong connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline:

People with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia
With severe hearing loss, the risk is five times higher
Early intervention with hearing aids may help reduce this risk

Protect Your Senses, Protect Your Mind

If you or someone you care for is living with dementia, maintaining good eye and hearing health can make a real difference in quality of life.

Search the Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care website