A promising study indicates that routine eye examinations may serve as an early detection method for Alzheimer’s disease. Experts from City, University of London, say advanced AI tools in optometry clinics can measure subtle changes in blood vessels at the back of the eye, which are closely linked to brain changes associated with cognitive decline.
Trials are underway using health records of over 500,000 individuals to help predict Alzheimer’s risk and allow early interventions before significant brain damage occurs.
Research also highlights that retinal thickness—the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye—can serve as a biomarker. Thinning of the retina is associated with gradual brain changes, including brain shrinkage and neuron loss.
Early diagnosis is crucial, as Alzheimer’s often remains undetected for years. A University College London study found the average time to diagnosis is around 3.5 years.
Experts note that because the retina is part of the central nervous system and directly connected to the brain via the optic nerve, it offers a window into neurodegeneration, showing signs such as inflammation, blood vessel damage, and neuron loss.
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