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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Identification of Retinal Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Using Optical Coherence Tomography: Recent Insights,
Delia Cabrera DeBuc1, Magdalena Gaca-Wysocka2, Andrzej Grzybowski3,4
1Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. dcabrera2@med.miami.edu.
Abstract:
This review will highlight recent insights into measuring retinal structure in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A growing body of evidence indicates that disturbances in retinal blood flow and structure are related to cognitive function, which can severely impair vision. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technology that may allow researchers and physicians to gain deeper insights into retinal morphology and clarify the impact of AD on retinal health and function. Direct and noninvasive measurement of retinal morphology using OCT has provided useful diagnostic and therapeutic indications in several central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including AD, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson disease. Despite several limitations, morphology assessment in the retinal layers is a significant advancement in the understanding of ocular diseases. Nevertheless, additional studies are required to validate the use of OCT in AD and its complications in the eye.
