Feedback: Alzheimer’s interactive

In the 11.02.22 issue of Optician, there were two CPD articles published concerning Alzheimer’s disease, the first (Alzheimer’s disease and vision) focused on visual impact and the second on communication (Communicating with the dementia patient). These were used as the source material for an interactive discussion exercise concerning the identification of cognitive impairment in a patient attending for an eye examination, the best way to adapt communication strategy when dealing with them, and what action might reasonably be adopted by the practitioner moving forward.

A 76-year-old man attends for his annual eye examination. His previous notes showed nothing remarkable other than ocular changes expected for age (low grade nucleosclerotic lens changes, minor arteriosclerotic retinal vascular changes), but his acuities were good (6/5 right and left) and maculae seemed normal. It had been recorded last year that he had a hearing impairment.