A screening test for integrative visual dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

J. D. Trobe and C. M. Butter
W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, MI 49105.

OBJECTIVE--To develop a screening test to help ophthalmologists detect visually symptomatic patients with as yet undiagnosed Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN--Administration of a battery of tests consisting of items modified from existing psychometric materials to decrease examination time and increase ease of scoring. PARTICIPANTS--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. CONCLUSION--This battery of tests should enhance the ophthalmologic detection of Alzheimer's disease.