Open Access
Dementia presenting with visual complaints
Author(s) -
Nikolaos Koutroumanos,
Michael Clarke,
Urs Peter Mosimann
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0730
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , cognitive impairment , memory impairment , visual impairment , disease , cognition , neurology , psychiatry , pediatrics , audiology , pathology
A 78-year-old female developed memory problems after a 2-year history of persistent visual complaints. Ocular pathology did not explain the extent of her perceived visual impairment. Cognitive screening tests found prominent visuo-constructive deficits and a comprehensive dementia assessment revealed the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This case describes visual complaints as the initial symptom of dementia, pre-dating memory impairment by several years. We discuss clinical signs of cerebral visual impairment and suggest a simple screening measure.