Optometry and Vision Science · 1993 · 58 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeurologyVision ScienceColor VisionContrast SensitivityDementiaAge-related Visual ImpairmentCognitive AgingColor Vision AssessmentVision AssessmentVision ImpairmentVisual ImpairmentAge-related Color Vision ChangesAge-related Contrast Sensitivity LossAge-related Vision LossAge-related Visual DeclineColor Vision ImpairmentVisual AgingVisual Function LossVisual Perceptual Deficits
PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the extent of visual deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients relative to normal aging changes and to patients with other types of dementia. METHODS: Four groups of subjects were tested: patients with probable AD (N = 10), patients with other dementias (N = 10), age-matched controls (N = 11), and young controls (N = 10). Color vision was assessed with the L'Anthony D-15 desaturated color test, contrast sensitivity with the Pelli-Robson chart, and stereoacuity with the RAN-DOT test. RESULTS: Visual changes were found in AD patients that can be accounted for by age-related deficits (color vision), deficits found in other types of dementia (stereoacuity), and deficits specific to AD (low spatial frequency contrast sensitivity). CONCLUSION: We conclude that AD patients show a variety of visual deficits. With our tests, only deficits in contrast sensitivity were specific to AD.