Research highlights how special sight tests could help people living with dementia

Research has found sight tests that include a special test for judging distances could help identify patients living with dementia who are at risk of falling.

Dr Marianne Coleman, orthoptist at the University of Surrey, carried out the research, which was jointly funded by Fight for Sight and the Royal Society of Medicine.

The study involved 24 volunteers who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia, with each person having their vision monitored over time.

Dr Coleman found that if a demonstration was given to patients in a depth perception exam, then even those with the lowest scores on their memory tests were able to take part.