Review Article

Ocular Manifestations of Alzheimer’s Disease in Animal Models

Table 2

Abnormalities detected in the visual pathway of AD patients.

Visual changesManifestationsReferences

Visual acuityVisual acuity changes reported in AD patients[50, 51]
Contrast sensitivitySeveral studies have reported changes in contrast sensitivity in Alzheimer’s patients compared to controls[48, 52, 53]
Colour visionAlthough controversial, many studies have demonstrated colour vision deficiencies in AD patients, others reporting prevalence to be high[5456]
Visual fieldThere are reports to suggest that AD patients exhibit visual field defects[57, 58]
Pupillary functionAD patients have exhibited atypical pupil response to cholinergic agonists and antagonists[59, 60]
LensAD patients appear to be predisposed to a particular type of cataract (equatorial supranuclear)[61]
RetinaAD patients have been shown to have a specific pattern of RNFL thinning, perhaps related to the severity of AD. Also shown to have decreased retinal blood flowChanges in retinal function using electrophysiological tests (PERGs and VEPs) have been shownAβ plaques have been demonstrated in the retinas of AD patients[6270]