Purpose: To determine, using scanning laser polarimetry, whether or not the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is altered in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT).
Methods: Thirty individuals with mild to moderate DAT and 30 healthy age-matched controls participated in the study. Fundus images were acquired with a Nerve Fiber Analyzer. RNFL thickness measurements were obtained under an ellipse located 1.75 disc diameter from the optic nerve head (ONH) center.
Results: No differences in RNFL thickness were observed between DAT and healthy subjects. The regional distribution of RNFL thickness was similar between the two test groups, with the RNFL being thickest in the superior and inferior retinal segments relative to the nasal and temporal regions.
Conclusions: Our data indicate that the RNFL is not altered in DAT, at least in the earlier stages of the disease.