The College of Optometrists has been awarded £450,000 to examine visual impairment in people with dementia.
The PrOVIDe project (Prevalence Of Visual Impairment In Dementia), is a collaboration between the college and various organisations including Alzheimer's Society and Thomas Pocklington Trust.
The project will investigate if people with dementia are getting the eye care they need. About 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, mainly aged 65 and above.
Vision and dementia
Mike Bowen, Director of Research, said: "Understanding the prevalence of problems with vision among people with dementia will enable better care and should help improve quality of life for this growing group within the population. Too often the link between dementia and eye health is not understood. This project is a great example of collaborative working and will lead to improved information for both patients and professionals."
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society added: "Detecting any problems with eyesight in people with dementia can really influence and improve their quality of life. This project will help us understand the magnitude of the problem."
As well as measuring the prevalence of vision problems in people with dementia the project will identify reasons for any under detection or inappropriate management of visual impairment in people with dementia, and suggest possible solutions.
Over the next year over 750 eye examinations will be undertaken of patients with dementia, ensuring a robust data sample.
The funding was awarded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.