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Published 26 February 2009
Cite this as: BMJ Case Reports 2009 [doi:10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0730]
Copyright © 2009 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Unusual presentation of more common disease/injury

Dementia presenting with visual complaints

Nikolaos Koutroumanos1, Michael P Clarke1, Urs Peter Mosimann1,2

1 Wolfson Research Centre, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK
2 University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 21, CH 3010 Bern, Switzerland

Correspondence to:
urs.mosimann{at}gef.be.ch

SUMMARY

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.


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