(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study gives seniors a reason to visit the ophthalmologist -- those with poor vision who sought help were 64 percent less likely to develop dementia.

University of Michigan researchers suggest poor vision may now be a predictor of dementia and not just a symptom that comes after diagnosis.  They looked at Medicare data relating to poor vision, visits to the ophthalmologist and a national study.

“Our results indicate that it is important for elderly individuals with visual problems to seek medical attention so that the causes of the problems can be identified and treated," Mary A.M. Rogers, Ph.D., research assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and research director of the Patient Safety Enhancement Program at the University of Michigan Health System and the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, was quoted as saying.

“While heart disease and cancer death rates are continuing to decline, mortality rates for Alzheimer's disease are on the rise," Dr. Rogers said. “So if we can delay the onset of dementia, we can save individuals and their families from stress, cost and burden that are associated with Alzheimer's disease."

According to researchers, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, February 2010