Dementia and eyesight: what care homes should know
Vision problems are far more common in people living with dementia, and most of them are treatable. Here is what the research shows, and what it means for your residents.
people with dementia has a serious vision problem. That is far more than the general population of the same age.
of people with dementia living in care homes have a vision problem.
people with dementia in the UK are estimated to be wearing the wrong prescription glasses.
people with dementia had not had an eye examination in the previous two years.
Source: NIHR PrOVIDe study, the largest UK study of visual impairment in people with dementia (Bowen et al., 2016); expert commentary, Alzheimer's Society.
Poor vision makes dementia harder for residents and staff
Higher risk of falls
Uncorrected sight problems increase the risk of trips and falls, one of the leading causes of injury and hospital admission among care home residents.
More confusion and distress
When the world looks blurry or distorted, disorientation and misperceptions get worse. Residents may struggle to recognise faces, food, or their surroundings, and they cannot always tell anyone why.
Problems often go unreported
Dementia can make it hard to notice or communicate failing eyesight. Without routine eye tests, cataracts and wrong prescriptions simply go untreated, quietly shrinking a resident's world.
Most problems are fixable
In the PrOVIDe study, many residents simply needed the right glasses, and almost half of the remaining impairment was due to cataract, which surgery can correct. Correcting vision improves quality of life and supports independence.
How OptoVisit examines residents living with dementia
- Longer, unhurried appointments in familiar surroundings
- Objective techniques (retinoscopy) when communication is limited
- Carers and family involved at every step
- Clear reports so staff know each resident's visual needs
Google Reviews
5.0 from 50 reviews on Google. Every single one is 5 stars.
★★★★★
Excellent visiting optician service. Mehdi and Shanaz are both lovely, friendly and professional. Very happy with my husband's new glasses and service overall.
Sarah Vallelly
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I am very impressed with Optovisit, they are very professional and efficient. I highly recommend them.
Stephen Guest
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Great service and lovely people. Seamless process from eye test to delivery.
Callum Orr
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We needed glasses for mum, who's in a care home. The service was very friendly and accommodating. I'd highly recommend!
nick barlay
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★★★★★
Would not hesitate to recommend Optovisit. Shanaz and Mehdii were very attentive and informative with regards to assisting my aunt with new glasses.
Tina Davey
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★★★★★
Brilliant service, excellent advice about a very special pair of frames I had. Excellent price and a very speedy service. Thank you so much!
Jannine Newman
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★★★★★
Shanaz is incredible! Each experience has provided an outstanding level of care. Because of Shanaz my eyesight has actually improved.
Lily James
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★★★★★
Optovisit have been incredibly supportive and helpful for my elderly aunt who is unable to leave her house. Would definitely recommend for anyone in need of an eye test!
saji mathialagan
Google review
★★★★★
Excellent visiting optician service. Mehdi and Shanaz are both lovely, friendly and professional. Very happy with my husband's new glasses and service overall.
Sarah Vallelly
Google review
★★★★★
I am very impressed with Optovisit, they are very professional and efficient. I highly recommend them.
Stephen Guest
Google review
★★★★★
Great service and lovely people. Seamless process from eye test to delivery.
Callum Orr
Google review
★★★★★
We needed glasses for mum, who's in a care home. The service was very friendly and accommodating. I'd highly recommend!
nick barlay
Google review
★★★★★
Would not hesitate to recommend Optovisit. Shanaz and Mehdii were very attentive and informative with regards to assisting my aunt with new glasses.
Tina Davey
Google review
★★★★★
Brilliant service, excellent advice about a very special pair of frames I had. Excellent price and a very speedy service. Thank you so much!
Jannine Newman
Google review
★★★★★
Shanaz is incredible! Each experience has provided an outstanding level of care. Because of Shanaz my eyesight has actually improved.
Lily James
Google review
★★★★★
Optovisit have been incredibly supportive and helpful for my elderly aunt who is unable to leave her house. Would definitely recommend for anyone in need of an eye test!
saji mathialagan
Google review