Scientists Suggest Relationship Between Eye Health and Brain Health

A recent U.S.Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study suggests a correlation between the health of blood vessels in the eyes and the brain. Researchers analyzed data from 511 women with an average age of 69 for a 10 year period. The data from cognitive testing and eye examinations suggests women who developed retinopathy from hypertension or Type II diabetes also had more damage of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in reduced cognitive abilities. Brain scans showed 47% more ischemic lesions or holes in blood vessel structure, 68% in the parietal lobe and thickening white matter tracks.

Although this research does not correlate retinopathy to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers suggest early retinal screenings and early treatment of pre-diabetes and pre-hypertension to help prevent cerebral microvascular damage from these diseases.

Some of the risk factors of these diseases are out of our hands such as race, heredity and age. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of hypertension and Type II diabetes:

• Lose Weight and Exercise Daily
• Don’t Smoke
• Eat Healthy and Reduce Salt Intake
• Reduce Stress Levels
• Avoid Heavy Alcohol Use