| Title: | Exploring the Connections Between Vision Loss, Chronic Pain, and Cognition: A Comprehensive Study Across Lifespan Factors |
| Lead Institution: | Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University |
| Principal investigator: |
Application 302523
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About
Globally, over 2.2 billion people suffer from visual impairment, with approximately 1 billion cases preventable or unresolved. Chronic pain poses another significant health challenge, imposing substantial burdens on individuals and economies. The debate over whether "vision loss causes cognitive decline" or vice versa remains contentious. Evidence suggests a link between chronic pain, mental health issues, cognitive decline, and chronic visual impairment, yet the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. This project will conduct cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to investigate the relationship between environmental exposures, ocular measurements, genetics, biospecimens, imaging, lifestyle, and cognitive abilities across the human lifespan, with a focus on early-life exposures. Additionally, we will evaluate the overall health and living conditions of visually impaired adults in the UK Biobank, particularly regarding the enduring effects of childhood visual impairment. Our goal is to identify modifiable factors like diet, physical activity, and sleep quality to mitigate and prevent these conditions early on. Tier 1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data will serve as potential biomarkers throughout the study. The project's duration is approximately 3 years. Its findings will uncover risk factors for chronic diseases, notably visual impairment and chronic pain, and explore potential associations with mental health problems and cognitive abilities, thereby contributing to disease prevention efforts and reducing adverse effects.1 Publication
| Pub ID | Title | Author(s) | Year | Journal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17426 | Accelerometer-derived "weekend warrior" physical activity pattern and risk of age-related eye diseases: a prospective cohort study | Yuze Mi (+8) | 2026 | Eye and Vision |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health