RT Journal Article
T1 Visual function in Alzheimer’s disease: current understanding and potential mechanisms behind visual impairment
A1 Alvite Piñeiro, Tania
A1 López López, Maite
A1 Regueiro, Uxía 
A1 Pías Peleteiro, Juan Manuel
A1 Sobrino, Tomás
A1 Lema Gesto, María Isabel
K1 Alzheimer’s disease
K1 Brain
K1 Color vision
K1 Contrast sensitivity
K1 Ocular motility
K1 Perception
K1 Retina
K1 Visual acuity
K1 Visual field
K1 Visual pathways
AB Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and is becoming one of the most morbid diseases of this century. Recently, ocular research in AD has gained significance, as the eye, due to its close relationship with the brain, can reflect the presence of neurological disorders. Several studies have reported alterations in various ocular structures in AD, ranging from tear fluid to the retina. These changes, particularly in the retina and the optic nerve, along with cerebral atrophy affecting visual brain areas, may lead to visual dysfunctions. This narrative review summarizes and critically examines current evidence on these impairments and explores their possible underlying mechanisms. A decrease in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color vision has been observed, primarily associated with retinal ganglion cell loss or damage. Furthermore, alterations in the visual field, ocular motility, and visual perception have been recorded, mainly resulting from cortical changes. These optical parameters frequently correlate with patients’ cognitive status. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of developing strategies to preserve visual function in these patients, helping to prevent further deterioration in their quality of life, and emphasize the potential of visual function assessment as a tool for diagnosis or predicting AD progression.
PB MDPI
SN 2077-0383
YR 2025
FD 2025-08-23
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43900
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43900
LA eng
NO Alvite-Piñeiro, T.; López-López, M.; Regueiro, U.; Pías-Peleteiro, J.M.; Sobrino, T.; Lema, I. Visual Function in Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Understanding and Potential Mechanisms Behind Visual Impairment. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 5963. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14175963
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026