Alzheimer's disease and the eye.

AD patients may have substantial defects in the visual system despite a normal routine eye exam. Specific methods should be utilized to assess the ability of these patients to understand what they see and read. Subtle defects of eye movements may be present. Problems with contrast sensitivity, color vision, and stereo vision may be also be present, as well as early signs of optic atrophy. An awareness of the specific problems that AD patients present will lead the clinician to accurate diagnosis.