Visual issues related to Alz

beachsand

Hi - my wife has some issues seeing, but it's not necessarily related to her vision. Sounds strange, I know, but it's like a connection/comprehension of what's in front of her. Is this common?

Vitruvius

Research suggests that specific areas of the brain responsible for visual processing may be affected in individuals with dementia. Disruptions in these areas could lead to visual misinterpretations—resulting in confusion or distress when faced with stimuli they cannot understand fully.

The neurological decline often leads to what's termed "visual agnosia," where individuals struggle to recognize objects or faces despite having intact vision capabilities.

My DW would try to pick up "flowers" printed on a table cloth or objects in a picture book or magazine. She would occasionally try to grab things she thought were near her but were actually far away. PWD often mistakenly see a dark floor mat near a door as a hole in the floor and will not want to step on it. If these are the type of things you mean, then, yes it it's very common.

Timmyd

DW often sees reflections in the mirror or window as other people. I have read this is common so I don't read too much into it.

wose

Good post. My DH can’t seem to recognize or find items right in front of him even tho he has straight up perfect vision when tested. I figured it was brain related but how frustrating for him. Even labeling things doesn’t seem to help. I don’t ask him to retrieve anything anymore for me cause he gets too upset.

SDianeL

Many PWDs have visuospatial difficulties. My husband was originally diagnosed with Dementia-probably vascular. I kept a list of his behaviors. One day he said he saw a black spot in his right eye. I took him to the eye clinic and they said his vision was fine. I sent his doctors the list of behaviors and included the eye problem. His Neurologist looked at his last CT scan again and sent me a message that his scan and eye problems were consistent with Alzheimer’s-Posterior Cortical Atrophy. A rare form of Alzheimer’s. Although there is nothing that can be done about it, the knowledge allowed me to better help him. I would make sure the Neurologist is aware and be specific about the vision issues.

LindaLouise

My DH - who passed in August - was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s-Posterior Cortical Atrophy after a PET scan. Among his first symptoms was an inability to follow a line of print when reading out loud to our grandchildren. I had to hold paper under the words. Next, he began to stop while driving because he couldn't judge distances, and he complained that his glasses were causing flashing lights. As this progressed, his ability to understand what he was seeing became increasingly difficult - he also began experiencing hallucinations including seeing people or animals or scary things that weren't there. Because he was about 62 when all of this started, no one suspected anything other than vision problems. Only because my dad had Alzheimer's and I began to see worrying similarities did I suspect it was not related to his eyes. It still amazes me how little help/knowledge/awareness there is in the medical community around Alzheimer's.

Michele P

We were told by our eye doctor that Alzheimer’s can impact eye sight. They made notes in my husband’s chart to check for specific conditions that are common with the disease.

harshedbuzz

Dementia causes issues with all kinds of visual processing.

In addition to what's already been mentioned, dad had a lot of issues with spatial reasoning fairly early on. He was convinced he could fit all 3 of his cars in a 1-car garage, for instance.

CindiEC

My husband’s neurologist said he had difficulty seeing neutral colors. An example: he was hesitate to step into a white bathtub or shower. I bought bright red or orange bath mats and also red plates for eating.

terei

My other could read what was in front of her, but did not comprehend it. Ie she would read out loud :‘dental appointment Tuesday.’ And then turn to me and say ‘when is the appointment with the dentist?’

Goodlife2025

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/254694#Comment_254694

My DW is at exactly this stage - amazing the retention of reading aloud perfectly but without any comprehension. Still blows my mind sometimes….