A small clinical trial in the U.S. found that cataract surgery for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias not only improves vision but can slow decline in cognition and improve quality of life for both people with the disease and their caregivers.

Preliminary analysis of results found that 20 participants who had surgery to remove cataract had significantly improved vision and quality of life compared to the eight participants who did not receive surgery. In addition, those who received the surgery experienced a reduced decline in memory and mental tasks such as planning, judgment, and problem-solving, as well as improvements in behavioral measures. Levels of perceived burden for caregivers of people in the surgical group showed improvement. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that preferences about medical treatment and decisions should be addressed early in the disease process through the execution of advance directives.

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Alzheimer's Association

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