Effect of Visual Impairment on Physical and Cognitive Function in Old Age: Findings of a Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Germany

Objectives To examine how visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Design A longitudinal population‐based prospective cohort study. Setting General practitioner offices at six study centers in Germany. They were observed every 1.5 years over four waves. Participants Individuals aged 77–101 at follow‐up Wave 2 (N = 2,394). Measurements Physical and cognitive function were assessed using an adapted scale that had been previously developed, and visual impairment was rated on a Likert scale (none, mild, severe or profound). Results Adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity, linear fixed‐effects regression showed that the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with a decline in physical function score in the total sample (β = −0.15, P = .01) and in women (β = −.15, P = .03). Moreover, the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with decline in cognitive function score in the total sample (β = −0.38, P < .001) and in women (β = −0.38, P < .001) and men (β = −0.37, P = .001). Conclusion Visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Interventional strategies to postpone visual impairment may contribute to maintaining physical and cognitive function.