AN eye test could be used to spot dementia years before sufferers experience memory symptoms, a new study has suggested.

Experts have found a link between poor cognitive ability and the thickness of people’s retinal nerves meaning doctors can diagnose the condition early and help treat it.

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Researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology carried out a trial on more than 33,000 participants who had tests on memory, reaction time and reasoning, with eye scans showing the nerve fibre layer was “significantly thinner” among those who performed poorly on cognitive tests.

The findings, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, Canada, could be key as doctors believe diagnosing the condition early is “essential” if treatments are to be found that will give people who develop the condition the best chance.

David Wrigley, British Medical Association representative for Lancashire, said he welcomes the development, but it is important services are there to deal with dementia patients.

He said: “It is an interesting development. If you can diagnose it earlier that is all the better.

“They need to make sure there are enough services available for people to go in to.

“It is important there are plans in place as more people are diagnosed and going to see consultants and clinicians.

“The services for patients are really struggling. They are already under great pressure.”

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, also sounded a note of caution over the study.

He said: “They do not yet know if it is something where you could look into someone’s eye at the age of 20 and can tell if they will get it at the age of 60.

“If you can, I’m not sure that is a good thing.

“What can you do about it if you are told you will get it in 30 years time? Would you really want to know?

“I’m not sure how they will use the results of this test unless they have medication or treatment that will slow down dementia.”

Dr Clare Walton, research manager at Alzheimer’s Society added while the tests could help with early intervention, it is not expected to be a primary way to diagnose the condition.

Experts are also looking at whether smell tests could help predict cognitive decline and detect early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre used a 40-item “scratch and sniff” test on 397 adults with an average age of 80.

Some 50 participants had developed dementia four years on, and researchers found low test scores were “significantly associated” with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.