Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2025 Nov 21. doi: 10.1007/s10384-025-01306-z. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and sarcopenia in older adults, while the relationship between low visual acuity and age-related muscle decline remains unclear.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 874 participants in the Kyotango Longevity Cohort Study from August 2017 to June 2022. We analyzed the association between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the presence of sarcopenia, grip strength, gait speed, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) in older adults. Logistic regression analyses were performed with sarcopenia as the dependent variable and visual acuity as the independent variable, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, smoking, exercise, and alcohol consumption. Decimal BCVA was converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analyses.
RESULTS: This cross-sectional study comprised 356 men and 518 women, with a median age of 72.0 years (range: 65-98 years). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.7% (24 cases) in the men and 5.2% (27 cases) in the women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between low visual acuity and sarcopenia for both sexes [odds ratio: 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-2.81, p = 0.002 for men, and odds ratio: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01-2.02, p = 0.038 for women).
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a significant relationship between lower visual acuity and sarcopenia. These findings support maintaining visual acuity to prevent age-related decline of physical functions.
PMID:41269445 | DOI:10.1007/s10384-025-01306-z
