Alzheimer’s disease is a relatively common condition among the older populations, often associated with dementia. The condition starts out mild at first but can progress and become more serious over time. Some people do not identify the presence of Alzheimer’s from the initial symptoms it causes, but you may be advised to for tests after an eye exam. Your eyes can actually reveal signs of Alzheimer’s disease. We’re going to take a closer look at how Alzheimer’s may manifest certain symptoms noticeable during an eye exam.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects your brain. In particular, the areas of the brain that are involved with language, memory, and thought are affected by the disease. At first, the condition often leads to mild memory loss. Perhaps you regularly forget to do things or struggle to recall names. Over time, however, these mild symptoms can become progressively worse – to the point where you cannot carry out an entire conversation with someone.
Due to the effects on the brain, Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for you to go about your daily routine. You may constantly forget about things that you have to do or frequently misplace items. Alzheimer’s disease is also considered to be a type of dementia.
An estimated 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. While less common, Alzheimer’s disease can develop in younger individuals. The majority of patients with the condition, however, are over the age of 65.
Apart from age, there are other risk factors that have been associated with the development of Alzheimer’s. If you have a family history of the disease, for example, then your own risk is elevated. Within the United States, Alzheimer’s is listed as one of the top 10 diseases that are the leading causes of death in the country.
How Alzheimer’s Disease Could Be Detected Through An Eye Exam
During an eye exam, you generally expect the optometrist to assess your eye health and prescribe lenses or glasses. While this is the goal of the eye exam, there are some cases where the optometrist may notice unusual changes in your eyes. These changes can sometimes signal certain diseases, such as the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s important to note that the brain and eyes are connected. While the research on the subject related to a connection between Alzheimer’s and the eyes is still quite new, some findings have already been made. Researchers have found that Alzheimer’s disease seems to cause certain changes in the eyes, which can be seen in a retinal scan. Some of these changes include:
- Retinal deterioration
- The density of tiny blood vessels in the retina may change
- The actual structure of the retina may also seem different
- Blood circulation toward in the retinal capillaries also seems to change
Some vision changes have also been identified among those who have Alzheimer’s disease. This includes a reduction in the ability to recognize certain differences that exist when the patient is shown a series of flickering lights. Furthermore, some people with Alzheimer’s disease may also experience problems with their depth perception.
One study tested these theories by using an artificial intelligence model in order to predict the risk of Alzheimer’s amongst a selection of retinal scans.
Researchers behind the study explain that these findings would make it easier to provide a diagnostic tool for patients susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also not as invasive as some of the other tests that are sometimes conducted to identify the presence of this condition.
Other Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease
While the eyes can be affected by Alzheimer’s disease, there are certain symptoms that you should also be on the lookout for. If you have a family history of the condition and wish to detect the possibility of the disease early on, then you should have a thorough understanding of signs that may signal Alzheimer’s.
Memory is often one of the first things to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The person may ask the same questions multiple times and completely forget about conversations that they had with someone. They may also forget to attend an appointment or to visit an event. Getting lost in places that the person is familiar with and constantly misplacing items are also signs of memory problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
The ability to think rationally and reasonably can also be adversely affected in people with Alzheimer’s. They may find it harder to concentrate and process things that are said to them. These effects can eventually lead to poor decision-making on their side.
It’s important to also look out for changes in a susceptible individual’s behavior, as well as their personality. Depression is a relatively common problem that develops, especially as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. The person may start to withdraw from social settings and have mood swings that are not normal for their personality. Aggression and withdrawal from activities that they used to enjoy are also commonly found among people who develop the condition.
Another thing that can happen with people who have Alzheimer’s is delusions. For example, the person may suddenly believe that something belonging to them was stolen. They may even falsely accuse someone specific, even though it’s not true.
It’s important to respond to these symptoms as early as possible. If an eye exam reveals the changes that we discussed or you notice any of the other symptoms discussed above, it’s important to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. There are certain treatments available that can help to reduce the impact that Alzheimer’s has on the individual’s life. Furthermore, some treatments can also assist in slowing down the disease’s progression.
Bottom Line
Certain changes in the structure of the retina, as well as density in blood vessels in your eyes, can sometimes be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. There are also other conditions that may manifest signs in your eyes, which an optometrist will sometimes identify during an eye test. Do not ignore their warning about these symptoms, as early diagnosis generally leads to greater efficacy in a treatment plan.