Assessing bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment and late age‐related macular degeneration in the Age‐Related Eye Disease Study 2

Introduction We aimed to investigate bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) received annual eye examinations and cognitive function testing (e.g., Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status [TICS-M]). We examined bidirectional associations between cognitive impairment (e.g., a TICS-M score < 30) and late AMD at 5 and 10 years. Results Five thousand one hundred eighty-nine eyes (3157 participants; mean age 72.7 years) were analyzed and followed for a median of 10.4 years. Eyes of participants with cognitive impairment at baseline were more likely to progress to late AMD at 5 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.43) and 10 years (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05–1.37) than eyes of participants without cognitive impairment. Worse baseline AMD severity was not associated with developing cognitive impairment. Discussion Cognitive impairment is associated with late AMD progression in AREDS2. Our finding highlights the importance of eyecare for people with cognitive impairment.