Alzheimer’s disease can interfere with many areas of your loved one’s daily life and functioning, including their vision. Even if there is no deterioration in their eye health, the way their brain interprets what they see may change over time. This means that their perception can be altered, and they may begin to have a distorted reality.
In some cases, your loved one could experience hallucinations or illusions. They may also start bumping into objects because of their skewed orientation.
Other types of vision and perception changes include:
Tunnel vision from loss of peripheral sight.
High color contrast.
An inability to differentiate dimensions.
Need for light to be brighter.
Preference of one eye, typically the right side.
Pattern confusion and a need for simplicity.
Confusion with glare, windows, and shadows.
To support your loved one through these changes, you can:
Arrange regular eye checks to ensure a doctor is monitoring their vision health.
Check that their current prescription is still correct and meets their needs.
Check that their glasses are debris-free and offer to clean them.
Encourage your loved one to wear their glasses regularly to prevent disorientation and falls.
Vision and perception changes can be challenging, but with your support, your loved one can continue to enjoy overall well-being!
