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

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.