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https://youtu.be/XJOUJcO8H0MCan a virtual reality eye exam help identify early signs of neurological disease? In this episode of Driving Discovery, researchers at UC Davis Health are bringing VR headsets into local retirement communities to provide vision screenings outside of a traditional clinic. The interactive program tests visual acuity, color and shape recognition, and pupil response, with results sent directly to each patient’s ophthalmologist. The technology makes eye care more accessible for older adults and offers a convenient way to monitor vision changes.
UC Davis Health neuro-ophthalmologist Allison Liu is also studying whether changes in visual processing and the retina — which is part of the central nervous system — may reflect brain changes that occur years before a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The device does not diagnose Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions, but researchers are evaluating whether it can help screen for vision changes associated with cognitive dysfunction and support earlier detection, lifestyle interventions, and access to clinical trials.