Over the past few years, the retina has been studied as a promising biomarker to diagnose the early onset of Alzheimer's. While many studies have focused on the thickness of the retina, scientists are now focusing their attention on the roughness of ten of the retina layers, using that as an early biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease.

The study, which was recently published in Scientific Reports, focused on the studying of the retina roughness of ten constituent layers. Using a mathematical method, the scientists are measuring the degree of wrinkling of the retina, using fractal dimensions. Using several layers showed that wrinkling starts in the early stages of the disease.

The study was launched six years ago, which has been used developing computer programs, which allows the scientists to separate the layers. Once separated they had to identify how to identify the roughness from one layer to the next. The layers are all in contact with each other, which means that one layer that wrinkles, will cause wrinkling in the next, causing the roughness to become blurry.

With careful precision they flattened each year mathematically, studying the roughness on both sides. The flat surface has proven effective as it only has two dimensions, which makes it easy to identify any wrinkles or folds. For patients, this could be a fast, effective and affordable test to identify if they are at risk of Alzheimer's or to identify how far it is progressing.

Ray Man, the PA for Mahi Muqit, a leading retinologist specialist in London, United Kingdom, said “The patient would have to arrive for an appointment and face a machine, looking at a dot, this generates an OCT image. The formulas used by this scientist would then use the computer program to create a rough image. It would be that quick and easy.”

Scientists and researchers have spent decades working on identifying the eyesight of Alzheimer patients, which is constantly evolving, changing the thickness of the retina. Being able to identify the retina roughness could be an effective way to monitor the progress of the disease in each individual patient.

About Us: Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract, and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eyesight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina, and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons, and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com.