Living Well With Lewy

Vision in Lewy body dementia

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.

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Lesson 1

Introduction and Overview of Lewy body dementia Terminology with Samantha Holden, M.D., M.S., FAAN

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex condition and understanding the terminology for LBD as well as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) can be confusing. In this lesson, Dr. Samantha Holden, Cognitive and Movement Disorder Neurologist with the LBDA’s Research Center of Excellence at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, will answer the question – “What’s in a name?” and decode the LBD ‘alphabet soup’ by defining common terms used in the identification and explanation of its symptoms and diagnosis.

Lesson 2

Vision in LBD: Looking from the Brain with Victoria S. Pelak, M.D.

Dr. Victoria S. Pelak is a Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (UCSOM) and is the Principal Investigator of LBDA’s Research Center of Excellence at UCSOM. In this lesson, Dr. Pelak maps the experience of an individual with LBD to the visual system of our brain and explains how the brain can be impacted by LBD. She describes how these symptoms present, and the importance of recognizing and assessing the impact they can have on function.

Lesson 3

Vision in LBD: Looking from the Eye with Erin Van Dok, O.D.

Erin Van Dok, O.D. is an optometrist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Van Dok will review the common eye and vision problems that can occur with LBD. Symptoms and medications that may contribute to visual issues will be highlighted along with practical suggestions for managing many of these symptoms. In addition, Dr. Van Dok will address eye care basics, types of vision correction and aids to compensate for vision loss in reading.

Lesson 4

Visual OT for LBD: Function and Safety with Karen Hookstadt, OTR/L

Occupational therapists (OT) assist people with LBD with ways to remain engaged in activities they enjoy in the event those activities are impacted by the visual dysfunction that can occur in LBD. Karen Hookstadt, OTR/L, an occupational therapist at the University of Colorado, will provide an overview of the role of an OT in assessment and intervention in visual issues for people with LBD. Adaptations for visual impairments, safety considerations, adaptive technology and assessment of fitness to drive are also discussed in this lesson.