Eye test to help spot the early signs of dementia

REGULAR eye tests could be used to check for dementia, following research that found thinner retinas are linked to cognitive problems.

It is known there is a link between dementia and deterioration of the retina — the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye. Now a study at University College London, involving 32,000 people aged 40 to 69, has found that those with thinner retinas were more likely to go on to suffer cognitive decline.

The researchers suggest measuring the retina could offer an early warning of dementia, so treatments could be given sooner.