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.