The 4 subtle symptoms of dementia you can spot in your eyes years before your memory starts to go
THE eyes are often described as windows to the soul.
But experts have discovered that they could also be windows to the brain - predicting your risk of dementia.
Nearly one million people in the UK are living with the condition.
And with an ageing population, that number is likely to grow, as getting older is the biggest risk factor in developing it.
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death globally - with 1.8million lives lost to the disease in 2019.
Until scientists discover a cure, having ways to diagnose the condition as early as possible gives people the best chance of managing the disease and alleviating symptoms.
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Earlier diagnosis can also give patients and their families more time to understand their diagnosis and plan for the future.
Studies previously found that conditions such as fatigue, hearing loss and sleep disorders could all predict your risk of the condition.
Now, Dr Jørn Slot Jørgensen, leading ophthalmologist at Laser Eye Clinic in London, has warned of the four signs of dementia you can spot in the eyes, before memory issues arise.
"In some cases, these signs may be subtle and may not be immediately recognisable," he told The Express.
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";However, in other cases, they may become noticeable enough to prompt further investigation."
Dr Jørn recommends keeping an eye out for the following symptoms:
1. Changes in vision
Individuals with dementia may experience difficulty with visual perception, including trouble judging distances or identifying colours and contrasts, he said.
2. Difficulty reading or writing
Dr Jørn said dementia can also lead to problems with reading comprehension, writing coherently, or understanding symbols and numbers.
3. Visual hallucinations
Some people with dementia may experience visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not present).
4. Impaired visual memory
Recalling faces, places, or objects may also become challenging for individuals with dementia.
Dr Jørn added: "If you notice any warning signs in the eyes, it’s crucial to take immediate action and speak to your GP."
Previous research suggests that the thinning of a person's retina during middle age is likely to be an indicator of cognitive performance in their early adult life.
The retina is the sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye and looking into this at an early age could help medics scope out Alzheimer's early on.
Other signs
It's important to know that vision changes do not always appear first, or at all, when a person has dementia.
According to the NHS, other signs of the condition include:
- 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
Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way.
Two new drugs, named donanemab and lecanemab, have been proven to slow the disease in older people — heralding a new era where it could become treatable.
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The potentially game-changing drugs are still in the trial phase, so until they become readily available, catching the disease early promises the best outcomes.
What is dementia and do I have it?
DEMENTIA is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.
There are many different causes and different types, and people often get confused with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases.
Dementia symptoms may include problems with:
- memory loss
- thinking speed
- mental sharpness and quickness
- language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking
- understanding
- judgement
- mood
- movement
- difficulties doing daily activities
People with the condition may also:
- lose interest in their usual activities
- experience problems managing their behaviour or emotions
- find social situations difficult
- have personality changes
- lose empathy
- have hallucinations and hear voices
- have difficulty planning and organising
- struggle with maintaining their independence
Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia.
Numbers are increasing because people are living longer.
Experts have devised tests that could be used to spot dementia nearly a decade before doctors notice symptoms.
Cambridge University experts say simple tests could be used to screen people and start treatment earlier.
Both tests rely on subtle differences that could easily be missed.
It is normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines, but if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you are over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP.
Source: NHS