Interaction between visual impairment and genetic risk of dementia and psychosis in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment (VI) is associated with dementia and other neuropsychiatric outcomes, but previous studies have not considered genetic sources of confounding or effect modification. METHODS: We analysed data from the Health and Retirement Study, an ongoing nationally representative survey of older US adults, a subset of whom underwent genetic testing from 2006 to 2012 (n = 13 465). Using discrete time proportional hazards models and generalised estimating equations, we measured the association between VI and dementia, depression and hallucinations adjusting for demographics and comorbidities, ancestry-specific principal components and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder or schizophrenia. Effect modification was assessed using VI-PRS interaction terms and stratified analyses. RESULTS: VI was associated with dementia, depression and hallucinations after adjusting polygenic risk and other confounders. There was no VI-PRS interaction for dementia or depression. However, the association between VI and hallucinations varied by genetic risk of schizophrenia. Within the bottom four quintiles of schizophrenia PRS, VI was not associated with hallucinations among White (OR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.87-1.55) or Black participants (OR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.49-1.89). In contrast, VI was strongly associated with hallucinations among White (OR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17-3.71) and Black (OR 10.63, 95% CI: 1.74-65.03) participants in the top quintile of schizophrenia PRS. CONCLUSIONS: The association between VI and neuropsychiatric outcomes is not explained by shared genetic risk factors, and there is a significant interaction between VI and polygenic risk of hallucinations in older adults.

Implementation framework for income generating activities identified by community health volunteers (CHVs): a strategy to reduce attrition rate in Kilifi County, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in promoting primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), they are not adequately financed and compensated. The latter contributes to the challenge of high attrition rates observed in many settings, highlighting an urgent need for innovative compensation strategies for CHVs amid budget constraints experienced by healthcare systems. This study sought to identify strategies for implementing Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) for CHVs in Kilifi County in Kenya to improve their livelihoods, increase motivation, and reduce attrition. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative research study design was used, which consisted of Focus group discussions with CHVs involved in health promotion and data collection activities in a local setting. Further, key informant in-depth interviews were conducted among local stakeholder representatives and Ministry of Health officials. Data were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using MAXQDA 20.4 software. Data coding, analysis and presentation were guided by the Okumus' (2003) Strategy Implementation framework. RESULTS: A need for stable income was identified as the driving factor for CHVs seeking IGAs, as their health volunteer work is non-remunerative. Factors that considered the local context, such as government regulations, knowledge and experience, culture, and market viability, informed their preferred IGA strategy. Individual savings through table-banking, seeking funding support through loans from government funding agencies (e.g., Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Fund), and grants from corporate organizations, politicians, and other donors were proposed as viable options for raising capital for IGAs. Formal registration of IGAs with Government regulatory agencies, developing a guiding constitution, empowering CHVs with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, project and group diversity management, and connecting them to support agencies were the control measures proposed to support implementation and enhance the sustainability of IGAs. Group-owned and managed IGAs were preferred over individual IGAs. CONCLUSION: CHVs are in need of IGAs. They proposed implementation strategies informed by local context. Agencies seeking to support CHVs' livelihoods should, therefore, engage with and be guided by the input from CHVs and local stakeholders.

Trends in the Diagnosed Prevalence and Incidence of Major Eye Diseases in Medicare Part B Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries 68 Years of Age or Older.

PURPOSE: To study contemporary trends in the diagnosed prevalence and incidence of age-related eye diseases among Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries. DESIGN: Analysis of Medicare administrative claims data. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare FFS beneficiaries 68 years of age and older from 2005 through 2020 who were enrolled continuously in both Part A and Part B for 3 years, including the index year and a 2-year lookback period. METHODS: Annual cross-sectional diagnosed prevalence and incidence rates were calculated. Age standardization was performed using the direct standardization method to account for changes in the age structure of the study population. Rates stratified by demographics (age, sex, race, and ethnicity) also were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Annual prevalence and incidence of diagnosed age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) (among those with diabetes), and glaucoma. RESULTS: At baseline, in 2005, 60% of included beneficiaries were female, 20% were 85 years of age or older, 86% were non-Hispanic White, and one-quarter had a diagnosis of diabetes. From 2005 through 2019, the prevalence of a diagnosis of any of the conditions studied increased from 16.4% (n = 3 628 996) to 17.9% (n = 3 731 281). Diagnosed incidence decreased over this period from 4.9% (n = 954 878) in 2005 to 4.2% in 2019 (n = 757 696). The diagnosed prevalence of AMD increased from 6.8% (n = 1 504 770) to 9.4% (n = 1 965 176); the diagnosed prevalence of any DR among those with diabetes decreased from 9.3% (n = 504 135) to 9.0% (n = 532 859), although the diagnosed prevalence of vision-threatening DR increased from 2.0% to 3.4%; and the diagnosed prevalence of any diagnosed glaucoma decreased from 8.8% (n = 1 951 141) to 8.1% (n = 1 692 837). In 2020, the diagnosed prevalence and incidence of all diagnoses decreased. During the study period, we detected demographic differences in the prevalence and incidence of diagnosis of each condition. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents updated data on the prevalence and incidence of diagnosed major chronic, age-related eye diseases among Medicare FFS beneficiaries. Compared with older epidemiologic estimates, we found that the diagnosed prevalence of each condition studied was higher in more recent years. These findings may inform public health and policy planning and resource allocation to address the eye health of an increasingly older United States population. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Interactions between the apolipoprotein E4 gene and modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment: a nationally representative panel study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies using rigorous clinical diagnosis have considered whether associations with cognitive decline are potentiated by interactions between genetic and modifiable risk factors. Given the increasing burden of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia, we assessed whether Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) genotype status modifies the association between incident CI and key modifiable risk factors . METHODS: Older adults (70+) in the US were included. APOE4 status was genotyped. Risk factors for CI were self-reported. Cognitive status (normal, CI, or dementia) was assigned by clinical consensus panel. In eight separate Cox proportional hazard models, we assessed for interactions between APOE4 status and other CI risk factors. RESULT: The analytical sample included 181 participants (mean age 77.7 years; 45.9% male). APOE4 was independently associated with a greater hazard of CI in each model (Hazard Ratios [HR] between 1.81-2.66, p < 0.05) except the model evaluating educational attainment (HR 1.65, p = 0.40). The joint effects of APOE4 and high school education or less (HR 2.25, 95% CI: 1.40-3.60, p < 0.001), hypertension (HR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.28-4.73, p = 0.007), elevated depressive symptoms (HR 5.09, 95% CI: 2.59-10.02, p < 0.001), hearing loss (HR 3.44, 95% CI: 1.87-6.33, p < 0.0001), vision impairment (HR 5.14, 95% CI: 2.31-11.43, p < 0.001), smoking (HR 2.35, 95% CI: 1.24-4.47, p = 0.009), or obesity (HR 3.80, 95% CI: 2.11-6.85, p < 0.001) were associated with the hazard of incident CIND (compared to no genetic or modifiable risk factor) in separate models. The joint effect of Apolipoprotein ε4 and type 2 diabetes was not associated with CIND (HR 1.58, 95% CI: 0.67-2.48, p = 0.44). DISCUSSION: The combination of APOE4 and selected modifiable risk factors conveys a stronger association with incident CI than either type of risk factor alone.

The Association of Cognitive and Visual Function in a Nationally Representative Study of Older Adults in India.

INTRODUCTION: Due to population aging, India is poised to experience a large increase in the burden of both dementia and vision impairment (VI). Prior studies from other settings suggest that VI may be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, to date, no studies have examined the association of impaired visual acuity and cognition in India. METHODS: A total of 3,784 participants in wave 1 of the population-based Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India underwent visual acuity testing and a cognitive test battery. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the cross-sectional associations of mild (<6/12-6/16), moderate (<6/18-6/60), and severe visual acuity impairment/blindness (<6/60) with cognitive performance scores corresponding to total cognition, orientation, memory, language/fluency, executive function, and informant-reported cognitive status. Models were adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics. RESULTS: The weighted percentage of participants with any VI was 52.6%. VI was independently associated with lower cognitive scores across all domains, even after adjustment for known dementia risk factors. In fully adjusted models of total cognition (mean score: 130.7), mild, moderate, and severe VI/blindness were associated with a significant change of -3.5 (95% CI: -6.3, -0.6), -8.2 (95% CI -10.5, -5.6), and -16.8 (95% CI -22.3, -11.3) units, respectively. A dose-response association between level of VI and cognitive function was observed for all cognitive outcomes except for language/fluency domain scores. Associations were robust when cognitive tests dependent on visual function were excluded. Across each fully adjusted model of total, domain-specific, and informant-reported cognitive performance, moderate VI was equivalent to 5-9 years of cognitive aging. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that VI is cross-sectionally associated with lower cognitive performance, largely in a dose-response pattern, across various cognitive domains in the Indian population. These findings are important for informing future longitudinal and interventional studies.

Vision impairment and depression among older adults in low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between visual impairment (VI) and depression in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the mediating role of disability and social participation. METHODS/DESIGN: The World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) provided data on objective and subjective visual function, depression, disability (WHODAS-12), and social participation for nationally representative samples of adults 50 years and older in China, India, Ghana, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Multivariable logistic and linear models were used to test the association between VI and depression and the indirect pathways through disability and social participation. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographics, medical comorbidities, and complex survey design features. RESULTS: Visual acuity was worse in respondents with depression compared to those without depression in China (0.32 vs 0.23 logMAR; P < .001), Ghana (0.26 vs 0.18 logMAR; P < .001), and India (0.36 vs 0.30 logMAR; P < .001); self-reported vision was also significantly worse in these three countries, but not in Mexico, Russia, or South Africa. Greater disability significantly mediated the association of both objective and self-reported VI with depression in China and India. Social participation significantly mediated the association between subjective vision and depression in Ghana. CONCLUSIONS: There is variability in the association between VI and depression across LMICs and in the mediating role of disability and social participation. Culture-specific instruments may be needed to better characterize the association between VI and depression and further research is needed to assess causality.

Association between vision impairment and cognitive decline in older adults with stroke: Health and Retirement Study.

Stroke survivors may experience multiple residual symptoms post-stroke, including vision impairment (VI) and cognitive decline. Prior studies have shown that VI is associated with cognitive decline, but have not evaluated the contribution of VI to post-stroke cognitive changes. We used data from four waves (2010-2016) of the Health and Retirement Study to investigate the cognitive trajectories of stroke survivors with and without VI. Vision (excellent-very good[ref], good, fair-poor) and stroke diagnosis were self-reported. Cognition was defined using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Regression was used to model the association between vision and change in cognitive function, adjusting for confounders. The final sample included 1,439 stroke survivors and the average follow-up time was 4.1 years. Fair-poor overall (B = -1.30, p < 0.01), near (B = -1.53, p < 0.001), and distance (B = -1.27, p < 0.001) vision were associated with significantly lower baseline cognitive function. VI was not associated with the rate of cognitive decline. Future research should determine whether specific types of VI potentiate the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in stroke survivors.

Use of the ICD-10 vision codes to study ocular conditions in Medicare beneficiaries with stroke.

BACKGROUND: Ocular conditions are common following stroke and frequently occur in combination with pre-existing ophthalmologic disease. The Medicare International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) coding system for identifying vision related health conditions provides a much higher level of detail for coding these complex scenarios than the previous ICD-9 system. While this new coding system has advantages for clinical care and billing, the degree to which providers and researchers are utilizing the expanded code structure is unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of ICD-10 vision codes in a large cohort of stroke survivors. METHODS: Retrospective cohort design to study national 100% Medicare claims files from 2015 through 2017. Descriptive data analyses were conducted using all available ICD-10 vision codes for beneficiaries who had an acute care stay because of a new stroke. The outcome of interest was ≥1 ICD-10 visual code recorded in the claims chart. RESULTS: The cohort (n = 269,314) was mostly female (57.1%) with ischemic stroke (87.8%). Approximately 15% were coded as having one or more ocular condition. Unspecified glaucoma was the most frequently used code among men (2.83%), those over 85+ (4.80%) and black beneficiaries (4.12%). Multiple vision codes were used in few patients (0.6%). Less than 3% of those in the oldest group (85+ years) had two or more vision codes in their claims. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular comorbidity was present in a portion of this cohort of stroke survivors, however the vision codes used to describe impairments in this population were few and lacked specificity. Future studies should compare ophthalmic examination results with billing codes to characterize the type and frequency of ocular comorbidity. It important to understand how the use of ICD-10 vision codes impacts clinical decision making, recovery, and outcomes.

Disability type, depression, and antidepressants use among older adults in the United States.

Objectives: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and antidepressant use among older adults with different types of disability.Methods: The study sample consisted of 32,193 adults 50 years and older who participated in the Adult Functioning and Disability supplement of the National Health Interview Survey from 2010-2014. Logistic regression was used to estimate depressive symptoms and self-reported antidepressant use by disability type.Results: One in ten participants reported feeling depressed daily or weekly, and less than half of them reported using antidepressants. Adults with a disability in cognition (odds ratio [OR] = 5.55), mobility (OR = 1.92), vision (OR = 1.91), hearing (OR = 1.88), and self-care (OR = 1.66) were more likely to often feel depressed. Antidepressant use was higher among those with cognition and self-care disability compared with no disabilities. A dose-response association existed between the number of disabilities and depression (AOR = 2.3) and antidepressant use (AOR = 1.39).Conclusions: Various forms of disability are strongly associated with depression in older adults. Antidepressants may be underutilized among older adults with certain impairments, including vision, hearing, and mobility. Future research needs should elucidate the mechanisms linking different disabilities to depression and aim to develop treatments tailored to the needs of older adults with disabilities.

Vision Impairment and Subjective Cognitive Decline-Related Functional Limitations - United States, 2015-2017.

Vision impairment affects approximately 3.22 million persons in the United States and is associated with social isolation, disability, and decreased quality of life (1). Cognitive decline is more common in adults with vision impairment (2,3). Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which is the self-reported experience of worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss within the past 12 months, affects 11.2% of adults aged ≥45 years in the United States (4). One consequence of SCD is the occurrence of functional limitations, especially those related to usual daily activities; however, it is not known whether persons with vision impairment are more likely to have functional limitations related to SCD (4). This report describes the association of vision impairment and SCD-related functional limitations using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys for the years 2015-2017. Adjusting for age group, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, health insurance, and smoking status, 18% of adults aged ≥45 years who reported vision impairment also reported SCD-related functional limitations, compared with only 4% of those without vision impairment. Preventing, reducing, and correcting vision impairments might lead to a decrease in SCD-related functional limitations among adults in the United States.

Development of a rapid point-of-care patient reported outcome measure for cataract surgery in India.

BACKGROUND: For patient undergoing cataract surgery in India, existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are either not culturally relevant, have not been adequately validated, or are too long to be used in a busy clinical setting. We sought to develop and validate a brief and culturally relevant point-of-care PRO measure to address this need. METHODS: Twelve items from the Indian Visual Functioning Questionnaire (IND-VFQ) were selected based on preliminary data. Patients 18 years and older were prospectively recruited at Aravind Eye Care System in Madurai, India. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected and the 12-item short-form IND-VFQ (SF-IND-VFQ) was administered pre- and post-operatively to 225 patients; Factor analysis and Rasch modeling was performed to assess its psychometric properties. RESULTS: One item that did not fit a unidimensional scale and had poor fit with the Rasch model was eliminated from the questionnaire. The remaining 11 items represented a single construct (no residual correlations> 0.1) and were largely unaffected by differential item functioning. Five items had disordered thresholds resolved by collapsing the response scale from four to three categories. The survey had adequate reliability (0.80) and good construct (infit range, 0.77-1.29; outfit range, 0.56-1.30) and content (item separation index, 5.87 logits) validity. Measurement precision was fair (person separation index, 1.97). There was evidence that items were not optimally targeted to patients' visual ability (preoperatively, - 1.92 logits; overall, - 3.41 logits), though the survey measured a very large effect (Cohen's d 1.80). In a subset of patients, the average time to complete the questionnaire was 2 min 6.3 s. CONCLUSIONS: The SF-IND-VFQ is a valid, reliable, sensitive, and rapidly administered point-of-care PRO measure to assess changes in visual functioning in patients undergoing cataract surgery in India.

Assessing Geographic Variation in Strabismus Diagnosis among Children Enrolled in Medicaid.

PURPOSE: To determine how strabismus diagnosis varies within a given community and across communities among children with Medicaid health insurance. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged ≤10 years enrolled in Medicaid in Michigan or North Carolina during 2009. METHODS: Children who met the study inclusion criteria were identified from the Medicaid Analytic Extract database, which includes claims data for all children enrolled in Medicaid throughout the United States. Residential location was determined by the last known 5-digit ZIP code for each child, which was linked to the centroid of a ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) for geo-referencing and spatial analyses. International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification billing codes were used to identify children diagnosed with strabismus (code 378.xx). Bayesian hierarchical intrinsic conditional autoregressive spatial probit models were used to determine the risk of a child receiving a strabismus diagnosis in communities throughout Michigan and North Carolina. Maps display communities (ZCTAs) where the 95% credible intervals for the spatial random effects estimates do not cross zero, allowing for identification of locations with increased and decreased strabismus diagnosis risk relative to other communities in the states. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of strabismus. RESULTS: In 2009, among 519 212 eligible children in Michigan, 7535 (1.5%) received ≥1 strabismus diagnosis, and in North Carolina, 5827 of 523 886 eligible children (1.1%) were diagnosed with strabismus. In both states, the proportion receiving a strabismus diagnosis among black (0.9% in Michigan; 0.7% in North Carolina) and Hispanic (1.1% in Michigan; 0.8% in North Carolina) children was lower than the proportion for white children (1.8% in Michigan; 1.6% in North Carolina). Children living in poorer communities in both states were less likely to be diagnosed with strabismus independent of their race/ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: A child's likelihood of being diagnosed with strabismus is associated with characteristics of the residential community where he or she resides. The findings of this study highlight the importance of ensuring that children who live in less affluent communities have access to the necessary services and eye care professionals to properly diagnose and treat them for this condition.

Retinal blood vessel positional shifts and glaucoma progression.

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics and significance of retinal blood vessel (RBV) positional shifts over time in a cohort of patients with progressive glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Baseline and serial stereophotographs from 1 eye of 125 patients with open-angle glaucoma with ≥8 reliable Swedish interactive threshold algorithm standard visual fields (VFs) were included. On the basis of global rates of threshold sensitivity change, patients with glaucoma were divided into groups of minimal (<-0.02 decibels [dB]/year), moderate (-0.02 to -0.65 dB/year), or fast (≥-0.65 dB/year) progression. To determine whether graders' assessments of RBV positional shifts were false-positives, a control group consisting of 33 patients with glaucoma with 2 sets of photographs taken on the same day was included. METHODS: Masked graders reviewed serial photographs aligned with automated alternation flicker (EyeIC, Narbeth, PA) and assessed them for the presence of any discrete RBV positional shifts (2 graders) and for traditional measures of structural progression (2 graders), including neuroretinal rim loss, parapapillary atrophy progression, and disc hemorrhage (DH). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of RBV positional shifts, rates of VF progression, and presence or absence of traditional measures of structural progression. RESULTS: A total of 158 image sets (125 longitudinal and 33 same-day controls) from patients with glaucoma were included. Retinal blood vessel shifts were noted in 33 of 125 (26.4%) longitudinally followed glaucomatous eyes and 2 of 33 (6%) same-day control patients (P = 0.01). Agreement between graders I and II was 90.4% (kappa=0.77; P< 0.001). Eyes with RBV positional change progressed more rapidly than those without (-0.55 vs. -0.29 dB/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.48); P = 0.03). Retinal blood vessel shift was present in 12.1% of minimal progressors versus 31.5% of moderate and fast progressors (P = 0.04). Rate of VF progression was statistically associated with RBV shift (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5; P = 0.03). Other variables significantly associated with RBV shift included neuroretinal rim loss (OR, 21.9; 95% CI, 5.7-83.6; P< 0.001) and DH (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5-15.5; P< 0.01). A multivariable model revealed that rim loss and DH, but not rate of functional change, were significantly associated with RBV shift. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal blood vessel positional shifts occurred in eyes with functionally progressive glaucoma, neuroretinal rim loss, and DH. This is a novel clinical finding that could help identify glaucoma progression or individuals at higher risk for future progression.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Among US Older Adults with Vision Impairment: The National Health and Aging Trends Study 2021.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between vision impairment (VI) and COVID-19 testing and vaccination services in older US adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed data from adults ≥ 65 years who participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (year 2021), a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Exposure: Distance VI (<20/40), near VI (<20/40), contrast sensitivity impairment (CSI) (<1.55 logCS), and any VI (distance, near, or CSI). Outcomes: Self-reported COVID-19 testing and vaccination. RESULTS: Of 2,822 older adults, the majority were female (weighted; 55%) and White (82%), and 32% had any VI. In fully-adjusted regression analyses, older adults with any VI had similar COVID-19 vaccination rates to adults without any VI (OR:0.77, 95% CI:0.54-1.09), but had lower odds of COVID-19 testing (OR:0.82, 95% CI:0.68-0.97). Older adults with distance (OR:0.47, 95% CI:0.22-0.99) and near (OR:0.68, 95% CI:0.47-0.99) VI were less likely to be vaccinated for COVID-19, while those with CSI were less likely to test for COVID-19 (OR:0.76, 95% CI:0.61-0.95), as compared to peers without respective impairments. The remaining associations were not significant (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings highlight inequities in the COVID-19 pandemic response for people with vision disability and emphasize the need for equitable prioritization of accessibility of healthcare services for all Americans.

Associations Between Self-Reported Visual Difficulty, Age of Onset, and Cognitive Function Trajectories Among Chinese Older Adults.

Objectives: This study examined the association between self-reported visual difficulty and age-related cognitive declines among older Chinese adults and how the timing of visual difficulty onset plays a role in cognitive trajectories. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2011-2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, involving 9974 respondents aged 60 years or older (mean age 65.44 years, range 60-101 years). Results: At baseline, 14.16% respondents had self-reported visual difficulty. Growth curve models showed that Chinese older adults with visual difficulty experienced a faster decline in cognitive function compared to those without visual difficulty (ß = -0.02, p < .01). Older adults who began experiencing visual difficulty between 61 and 75 years of age had steeper cognitive declines compared to those with earlier or later onset (ß = -0.05, p < .01). Discussion: Older adults with self-reported visual difficulty experience faster rates of cognitive decline. Future research should explore potential factors that underlie the association between onset timing of visual difficulty and cognitive function.

Association between vision impairment and increased prevalence of falls in older US adults.

BACKGROUND: Vision impairment (VI) is associated with falls in older adults. However, past studies have relied on geographically constrained samples with limited generalizability or self-reports of visual difficulty. To date, there have not been nationally representative studies on the association of objective measures of visual function and falls outcomes. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from Round 11 of National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative panel study of age-eligible Medicare beneficiaries (N = 2951). We performed Poisson regression to calculate the prevalence and prevalence ratio (PR) of >1 fall in the past year, any fall in the past month, fear of falling (FoF), and activity limitation due to FoF as a function of distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Models were adjusted for demographic and health covariates and were weighted to make nationally representative parameter estimates. RESULTS: The weighted proportion of participants with VI was 27.6% (95% CI, 25.4%-29.9%). Individuals with any VI had a higher prevalence of falls compared with those without VI (18.5% vs. 14.1%, PR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.02-1.53). Specifically, contrast sensitivity impairment was associated with a higher prevalence of recurrent falls (20.8% vs. 14.7%; PR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.67) and recent falls (17.1% vs. 9.9%; PR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.94). This relationship existed even independent of near and distance visual acuity. Distance and near visual acuity were not significantly associated with falls. Having any VI was also associated with a higher prevalence of FoF (38.4% vs. 30.5%, PR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.34). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of falls is associated with poor contrast sensitivity but not with near or distance visual acuity. Findings suggest greater collaboration between geriatricians and eye care providers may be warranted to assess and address fall risk in older adults with VI.

An Incomplete Model of Disability: Discrepancies Between Performance-Based and Self-Reported Measures of Functioning.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate conceptualization and measurement of disability are critical for population-focused resource allocation and policy development. Self-reported and performance-based measures of functioning have been used to represent disability. Variation in environmental context or self-perception of ability may influence self-reports; however, performance-based measures that attempt to control environmental context may not accurately capture real-world aspects of functioning. This study examined the agreement between self-report and performance-based measures of functioning within 4 domains among older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study was used. Self-reported and performance-based measures of functioning were assessed for vision, hearing, mobility, and memory domains. We examined the diagnostic characteristics of performance-based versus self-reported measures using sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristics curves. Differences in the agreement of these measures across sociodemographic groups were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 2 442 respondents 71 years and older (mean 78.5 ± 5.3, 56% female participants), performance measures of hearing and mobility had high sensitivity (89% and 91%, respectively) and low/moderate specificity (36% and 63%, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of vision measures were 71%. Memory measures had high specificity (89%) and low sensitivity (28%). Performance-based discrimination ranged from 0.59 (memory) to 0.78 (mobility). Agreement varied across sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Performance measures diverge from self-reported functioning among older adults. Discordance may reveal opportunities for environmental intervention where participants' performance does not capture the full extent of barriers in their daily lives. Additional research is needed to investigate individual and environmental factors which could explain the observed differences.