A screening test for integrative visual dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a screening test to help ophthalmologists detect visually symptomatic patients with as yet undiagnosed Alzheimer's disease.


METHODS
Administration of a battery of tests consisting of items modified from existing psychometric materials to decrease examination time and increase ease of scoring.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with Alzheimer's disease and prominent visual symptoms; 53 control subjects matched to the patients with Alzheimer's disease for age, sex, and educational level; and 22 patients with subnormal visual acuity or visual fields who did not have Alzheimer's disease.


RESULTS
The novel battery of tests distinguished all 14 visually symptomatic patients with Alzheimer's disease from patients without Alzheimer's disease and control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
This battery of tests should enhance the ophthalmologic detection of Alzheimer's disease.
W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, MI 49105.
J D
JD
Trobe
C M
CM
Butter
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields