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Simple eye test to predict Alzheimer’s

Simple eye test to predict Alzheimer’s

A simple eye test, currently available at NHS opticians, could identify those at greater risk of developing dementia before symptoms even occur, scientists revealed. In a landmark study, researchers proved that the risk of losing brain power can be predicted by the thickness of the eye’s retina.

One of the world’s leading eye specialists used data from optical scans on 32,000 UK Biobank participants which measured the thickness of a layer of neurons on the retina. Experts hope targeting such people with drugs and lifestyle changes could slow or even stop the onset of dementia.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) and Moorfields Eye Hospital found that those with thin retinas were twice as likely to perform poorly in tests on everyday memory, reaction time and reasoning.  When tested again three years later these people were twice as likely to have suffered mental decline. 

The UCL research paper could revolutionise treatments of the devastating disease that affects 850,000 people in the UK. This is expected to increase to a million sufferers by 2025.

"We now know we need to find people at the earliest stages before the brain is irreparably damaged. The hope is that either a drug or lifestyle advice can stop this. The combination of the two studies showing the increased risk does put it beyond doubt. There is unquestionably a link between changes in the retina and changes in people’s mental state."

Professor Paul Foster, Lead Author