How Alzheimer’s may affect the eyes
New research may show a connection between this brain condition and vision issues.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may affect the eyes, because some parts of the eyes contain brain tissue. (Dementia is a general term for changes or decline in someone’s memory, thinking, behavior and language. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.1)
No matter what, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that anyone over age 60 get a yearly eye exam.2
“The earlier that problems are detected and treated, the more likely that a person can retain good vision,” says Ken Daniels, O.D., F.A.A.O. He’s an optometrist with Hopewell-Lambertville Eye Associates in New Jersey and a member of the AOA.
Learn how Alzheimer’s may affect a person’s vision — and what eye care providers may do about it.
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The link between Alzheimer’s and vision issues
Studies show that vision issues may be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.3 But scientists still aren’t sure why.4
One theory is that Alzheimer’s may be associated with certain areas of the eye, such as the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) and optic nerve (nerve fibers that connect the eyes to the brain).5 Because the retina is connected to the brain, Alzheimer’s disease may damage this area in the same way that it damages cells in the brain.6
A certain protein in the body, known as amyloid, is also linked to Alzheimer’s. An early sign of Alzheimer’s might be finding this protein in the retina. In one study, scientists found higher amounts of the protein in the retinas of people with the brain condition, compared with those who didn’t have it.6
How Alzheimer’s may affect the eyes
Alzheimer’s may cause physical changes to the eye, according to Dr. Daniels. Here are some potential examples:
- How the pupils dilate (widen). During some eye exams, an eye care provider may put drops in a person’s eyes to dilate them. This may help the eye care provider check the health of the eye and identify any vision concerns.
But in people with Alzheimer’s, the pupils may dilate more than in those who don’t have this brain condition.3 An eye care provider may notice that during an eye exam.
- Eye movements. Certain ways the eyes move may also be negatively impacted in people with Alzheimer’s disease. They may become slower, and it may be harder for the eyes to focus on moving objects, notes Dr. Daniels.
The eyes may make fast and slow movements at any given time in the day. Fast, or saccadic, eye movements may help when reading or looking around a room full of people.
Smooth eye movements may help with tracking slowly moving objects, such as a finger as it moves back and forth. But for people with Alzheimer’s, fast or slow eye movements may be more difficult.
If an eye care provider notices these symptoms, they may get in touch with the person’s primary care doctor to discuss their findings or refer them for a neurological assessment.
How Alzheimer’s may lead to vision loss
“A variety of visual problems have been reported in patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” explains Dr. Daniels. These might include:
- Colors looking duller or not like they’re supposed to
- A decrease in the ability to see things out of the corners of the eyes
- Having a harder time seeing shades of one color, or the inability to tell the difference between similar colors, like black and brown
- Less depth perception, which could mean not being able to walk through a door without bumping into its sides7
- Lower visual acuity, or not being able to see shapes and details at a distance clearly
- Not being able to name and identify everyday objects
Understandably, these issues may be concerning for someone with Alzheimer’s or their caregiver. It may make it harder for them to stay safe in their own home.
Ways to help people with Alzheimer’s at home
Dr. Daniels recommends some home safety tips for people with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s and vision issues. These might include:
- Getting them separate pairs of eyeglasses for reading and distance. Dr. Daniels says it may be hard for someone with Alzheimer’s to have enough eye coordination to be able to look at the right part of bifocals for near and far vision. (Bifocals are a type of glasses that have 2 types of lens powers in a single lens, making it possible for someone to see objects at both near and far distances.) “Even if a patient is no longer able to work or do up-close tasks, they may still need a pair of reading glasses for when they eat,” he adds.
- Making sure their home may be properly lit. Because of their trouble with depth perception, people with Alzheimer’s may need extra light to see steps and doors to the basement or garage. And if they get up at night to go to the bathroom, it may help to keep all walkways well lit too.
Along with lighting, marking the edges of stairs with brightly colored tape may be helpful. This may help them avoid a tumble based on their depth perception.7
- Sticking with contrasting colors wherever possible. It may be easier for someone to see a white toilet seat better if it has a different, darker colored seat cover on it. The same may be true if the wall behind the toilet may be painted a darker color.7
It may be a good idea to notify an eye care provider if concerns arise. They may help people with Alzheimer’s maintain or improve their vision and overall quality of life.
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Sources:
- Alzheimer’s disease Cleveland Clinic, December 2022.
- Senior vision: over 60 years of age American Optometric Association.
- The impact of Alzheimer’s disease risk factors on the pupillary light response Frontiers in Neuroscience, August 2023.
- Visual and cognitive functioning among older adults with low vision before vision rehabilitation: a pilot study Frontiers in Psychology, March 2023.
- Optic nerve Cleveland Clinic, April 2024.
- Changes in the retina linked to stages of Alzheimer’s disease National Institute on Aging, June 2023.
- Don’t overlook Alzheimer’s’ affect on eyesight Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.