Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #122151

Denise A. Valenti, OD, FAAO, Vision and Cognition Laboratory, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02215, (617) 358-3047, Denvalenti@aol.com

It is estimated that 1% of the population in the US over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). Data from the 2000 US census indicates that approximately 4.5 million people with Alzheimer disease (AD). Individuals with PD and AD have deficits in visual function including low spatial frequency contrast sensitivity. The Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can be efficient screening tools for functional vision losses when there are additional physical or cognitive impairments. FDT uses low contrast sinusoidal gratings combined with flicker frequency to test the central twenty degrees of vision and is widely used in glaucoma. OCT, requires minimal cognition, utilizes light waves much the same way ultrasound uses sound waves, measures the retinal structures and has application in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. There are reports in the literature showing significant losses in the retinal nerve fiber layer in participants with AD and PD compared to age matched controls when utilizing OCT. Additional reports have identified significant losses in contrast function visual field in those with PD compared to age matched controls when tested with FDT. The preliminary data collected in our laboratory support these findings. Deficits in the visual system can be readily identified using existing technology which will be important in the management of age related neurodegenerative diseases such as PD and AD. Support for was provided by a student research grant from Fight for Sight, technology support from Welch-Allyn and NIH supplement to R01 1AG15361.

Learning Objectives:

• The audience will learn some of the visual functioning changes observed in persons over 65 years who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer disease.

Keywords: Vision Care, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Recorded presentation