Impact of Glasses for Vision Problems on Cognitive Function in Rural Older Adults

Launched by YUJU WU · Feb 19, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether providing free glasses to older adults with vision problems can help slow down cognitive decline, or changes in thinking and memory, over three years. The researchers want to find out if correcting vision issues in people aged 65 and older can make a difference in how quickly their thinking abilities decline. They will compare two groups: one group will receive glasses, while the other will not, to see if there is a significant difference in cognitive decline between them.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 65 years old, live in the area where the study is taking place, have normal thinking skills or mild cognitive impairment, and have vision problems that are not properly corrected. Participants should be able to follow the study rules and agree to take part in the study voluntarily. If you join the study, you can expect to have your cognitive abilities tested regularly over the three years, and you will receive support to ensure your vision is corrected if you qualify. This trial is not yet recruiting, so there is still time to learn more before it begins.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Older adults who meet all of the following criteria will be eligible to participate in this study:
• • Age ≥ 65 years;
• • Reside in the sample county and plan to remain there throughout the study;
• • Normal baseline cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment (HMSE score \> 18);
• • Presence of uncorrected or inadequately corrected refractive error (i.e., distant vision \< 6/18 or near vision \< N6);
• • Able to accept random assignment and interventions, and willing to adhere to the study protocol;
• • Voluntarily sign an informed consent form to participate in the entire study process.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age under 65 years;
• • HMSE cognitive function score ≤ 18;
• • Non-refractive visual decline (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, or other severe ocular diseases);
• • Severe mobility impairment requiring long-term bed rest or wheelchair use;
• • Severe systemic diseases, including heart and liver failure, end-stage renal disease, malignancies, major neurological diseases, mental disorders, and/or other conditions that affect life expectancy or interfere with cognitive testing;
• • Self-reported hearing impairment, unable to pass the whisper test;
• • Use of hearing aids;
• • Severe aging or end-of-life status.