About the Course

Vision changes are common in people with Lewy body dementia (LBD) and can be related to changes in the eye, brain, or both. Visual symptoms in LBD can include trouble reading, focusing gaze, changes in color vision, impaired navigation and spatial reasoning, and visual hallucinations. Changes in vision can affect daily life and independence, including important tasks like driving. The presence of visual symptoms can also help with diagnosis of LBD, distinguishing it from other forms of dementia, and should be evaluated in any person experiencing cognitive changes.

This course will cover how visual changes can manifest in people with LBD, how they can be tested, as well as potential interventions and therapies to help.

Course curriculum

    1. Course Description

    2. PDF of Slides for Download: Vision in Lewy Body Dementia

    1. About the Presenter: Samantha Holden, MD

    2. Video Presentation: Introduction and Overview of Lewy body dementia Terminology

    1. About the Presenter: Victoria Pelak, MD

    2. Video Presentation: Looking from the Brain

    1. About the Presenter: Erin Van Dok, OD

    2. Video Presentation: Looking from the Eye

    1. About the Presenter: Karen Hookstadt, OTR/L

    2. Video Presentation: Visual OT for LBD

    1. PDF Slides for Viewing

    2. Resource for Viewing: Visual Function in Lewy body dementia

    3. Resource for Download: Visual Function in Lewy body dementia

About this course

  • 1.5 hours of video content

Meet Your Instructors

Samantha Holden, MD, MS, FAAN

Dr. Samantha Holden is a cognitive and movement disorders neurologist who co-directs the Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence at the University of Colorado. She specializes in the care of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia and serves as Vice Chair for Outpatient Neurology Services. Dr. Holden is dedicated to improving diagnosis, care, and support for those living with cognitive and movement disorders.

Victoria S. Pelak, MD

Dr. Victoria Pelak is a neuro-ophthalmologist and behavioral neurologist specializing in visual problems caused by neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. As founder of the Brain and Vision Laboratory at the University of Colorado, she leads research on how the brain processes vision and provides expert clinical care for patients with complex visual and cognitive challenges.

Erin Van Dok, OD

Dr. Erin Van Dok is an optometrist at the UC Health Eye Center who provides specialized eye and vision care for individuals with neurological conditions. Working closely with Dr. Victoria Pelak, she helps patients with movement disorders better understand and manage changes in their vision. Dr. Van Dok is passionate about patient education and improving visual outcomes through personalized care.

Karen Hookstadt, OTR/L

Karen Hookstadt is an occupational therapist with expertise in neurological rehabilitation, treating conditions such as stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. With over 20 years of experience, she focuses on helping patients improve physical, visual, and cognitive function to regain independence and quality of life.