Link between retinopathy and memory problems discovered

Researchers have discovered that our eye health may be closely linked to our brain health. An increased risk for thinking and memory problems has been associated with retinopathy. Retinopathy occurs when the retina is damaged as a result of vascular disease. That same vascular disease may also cause damage to the brain. In a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, 511 women were evaluated on their thinking and memory skills. All of the women were over the age of 69 and they were studied over the course of 10 years. Their eye health was evaluated four years into the study and bran scans were conducted eight years into the study. At the end of the assessment period, 39 women were diagnosed with retinopathy. These 39 women also had 47 percent larger volumes of vascular damage in the brain and scored lower on the cognitive tests compared to the women who did not have retinopathy.