People who get age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and diabetes-related eye disease (DRED) may have a higher risk for dementia, suggests a study published Sept.
Eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related changes in the retina or the macula in the back of the eyes affect the visual information that can reach the brain. Not getting sufficient or correct visual information can contribute to developing cognitive and memory problems, or even dementia.
Eye tests can pick up whether you're long or short-sighted, identify glaucoma and monitor your eye health – and recent research suggests that your optician could also predict whether you are at risk of developing dementia. The brain damage of dementia begins many years before any symptoms become apparent.
Alzheimer's disease patients are known to have ocular motility dysfunctions and poor visual attention. They are often unable to focus on a fixed object, due to their difficulty in suppressing reflexive saccades.
When someone has dementia, their field of vision narrows to about 12 inches around. As Teepa says, it's like wearing binoculars (33 sec in video). If you were to use binoculars and try to move around normally, it would be very difficult.
Many people with Alzheimer's disease have visual problems, such as changes in color vision, and past studies have shown retinal and other changes in their eyes.
Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. But memory gets worse and other symptoms develop as the disease progresses. At first, someone with the disease may be aware of having trouble remembering things and thinking clearly.
The following procedures also may be used to diagnose dementia: Cognitive and neurological tests. Used to evaluate thinking and physical functioning, these tests include assessments of memory, problem solving, language skills, and math skills, as well as balance, sensory response, and reflexes. Brain scans.
The next time forgetfulness strikes, try closing your eyes. When British researchers had people watch short films and then recall details by answering a series of questions, those who were instructed to keep their eyes closed answered correctly 23% more of the time than people who were told to keep their eyes open.
Neuromyelitis optica is characterized by optic neuritis, which is inflammation of the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain (optic nerve ). Optic neuritis causes eye pain and vision loss, which can occur in one or both eyes.
New research confirms that proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are detectible in the eyes in quantities that correspond with the severity of cognitive impairment in deceased subjects. More amyloid protein in the retina was correlated with increased brain pathology.
Abstract. Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
You have trouble following a conversation. You find it hard to make decisions, finish a task or follow instructions. You start to have trouble finding your way around places you know well. You begin to have poor judgment.
Age. Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's, as it is for most types of dementia. This means that a person is more likely to get Alzheimer's as they get older. Above the age of 65, a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles about every five years.
Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans.
The 3D imaging that MRIs for Alzheimer's provide makes it easy for physicians to spot abnormalities in the brain. These abnormalities can be potential markers of Alzheimer's, but they could also be symptoms of other cognitive conditions — some of which may even be reversible if caught in time.
Research shows a link between vision loss and dementia
Recent research has noted a link between age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetes-related eye disease and dementia. One study found an increased risk of dementia in older adults who experienced worsening vision over an eight-year period.
Patients with macular degeneration are at increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's, study finds.
A form of facial blindness, similar to prosopagnosia, is also known as facial agnosia. This is not necessary caused by cognitive loss of the dementia-related disease, but more by the damage that the disease has caused to the brain.
Is your friend with dementia staring zoning out and staring off into space? Sure, it might be because their ability to process information is decreased. However, it might also be that they need something other than Bingo to fill their time. Make sure they have something to do besides sit there.
People in the early stages of dementia may understand their diagnosis and its implications. However, it is important to note that dementia affects every person differently and that symptoms vary between people. In the later stages of dementia, individuals may not be aware of their condition.