The latest advances in research on Alzheimer’s disease are revealing new avenues. Among these, vision tests could make it possible to detect risk factors earlier and prevent the onset of the disease…
Will a regular eye test by your ophthalmologist soon prevent Alzheimer’s disease? This is one of the tracks of the latest research on this terrible pathology which affects 900,000 French people on average, with 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year according to theINSERM. The study of this disease, still incurable, and of its causes has only just begun, but we already know that the beginnings of the disease declare themselves many years before the appearance of the first symptoms. For several years, researchers have been particularly interested in the development of the disease and in our eye and retina. Caused by damage to certain cells in our brain, Alzheimer’s disease, but also certain forms of dementia, seem to have effects on the retina and our vision.
A recent study from the Weill Institute for Neurosciencesa branch of theUniversity of California San Francisco (UCSF) indicates that retinal scans can detect key changes in blood vessels. These changes could provide an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease and according to these same researchers, these results could offer important information on how one of the genes already studied for its importance in the onset of Alzheimer’s contributes to the triggering of disease.
Dr Barsam, surgeon and founding partner of a famous eye surgery practice in London, OCL Vision, gave his opinion to the English newspaper The Express. “Alzheimer’s disease cannot cause vision or eye problems, but as there is a high level of visual impairment in people with the disease, research suggests it may be a risk factor. If these vision problems can be treated and corrected, this could help prevent dementia.
“This means that any intervention that improves a patient’s vision, such as cataract surgery or even regular eye exams, might be able to reduce your chances of developing the disease. More research is needed in this area, but if the evidence becomes conclusive, it could represent a significant development in understanding the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and how it might be prevented.” It is therefore recommended to take a vision test at least every two years, especially as you get older. Perhaps these tests will very soon make it possible to better prevent Alzheimer’s disease and its effects…