Types of dementia

What is Posterior cortical atrophy?

Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare dementia in which the first symptoms are visual: difficulty judging distance, reading, or recognising objects, despite healthy eyes.

It affects the back of the brain, where vision is interpreted rather than received. People are often sent to optometrists repeatedly before anyone considers the brain, and it usually begins in the fifties or early sixties.

Most cases are an unusual presentation of Alzheimer's disease.

Why it matters

A person may be told their eyes are fine while becoming unable to read, and the delay to diagnosis is often years.

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