An expert has urged people to be wary of these telltale signs that could affect someone long before other symptoms take hold
Dementia is a devastating yet relatively widespread condition in the UK, affecting almost one million people. And according to the NHS, one in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with it.
As many of us know, it is a progressive syndrome linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. This can result in symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty thinking and behavioural changes.
But one expert explained that warning signs of dementia can appear in unlikely ways – in the eyes. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Jørn Slot Jørgensen, leading ophthalmologist at Laser Eye Clinic London, urged people to attend regular eye checks for this reason: “Some people think that visiting an ophthalmologist is only necessary if you have an eye condition or need vision correction.
“However, this is a widespread misconception that also applies to medical situations in general. In fact, an ophthalmologist might be the first physician to diagnose a medical condition because the initial signs may appear in the eye.”
Dr Jørgensen listed the following symptoms that should ring alarm bells.
Changes in vision – Individuals with dementia may experience difficulty with visual perception, including trouble judging distances or identifying colours and contrasts.
Difficulty reading or writing – Dementia can lead to problems with reading comprehension, writing coherently, or understanding symbols and numbers.
Visual hallucinations – Some people with dementia may experience visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not present).
Impaired visual memory : Recalling faces, places, or objects may become challenging for individuals with dementia.
However, although vision changes could be the first warning signs, they might go unnoticed for a while. Dr Jørgensen said that the onset of these symptoms can vary from person to person.
He explained: “In some cases, these signs may be subtle and may not be immediately recognisable. However, in other cases, they may become noticeable enough to prompt further investigation.”
If you start experiencing any changes or problems with your vision, it’s important to seek medical help. “If you notice any warning signs in the eyes, it’s crucial to take immediate action and speak to your GP,” Dr Jørgensen added.
This is also why regular visits to your optician are important, as they could detect potentially harmful changes before symptoms even appear. His advice is backed by research that suggests that vision problems may be one of the “first” signs of dementia.
One study from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences found that retinal scans can detect key changes in blood vessels that may provide an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Lead study lead author Fanny Elahi said: “The most prevalent genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease is a variant of the APOE gene, known as APOE4.
“We still don’t fully understand how this variant increases risk of brain degeneration, we just know that it does, and that this risk is modified by sex, race, and lifestyle. Our research provides new insights into how APOE4 impacts blood vessels and may provide a path forward for early detection of neurodegenerative disease.”
The NHS says the most common signs of dementia are:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct Change when shopping
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Being confused about time and place
- Mood changes
If you or someone you know experiences any of these signs you should speak to a GP.
