Eyes On - Can Your Eyes Detect Alzheimer's Before Symptoms? The Retina-Brain Connection

More than half of older adults with dementia have at least one vision impairment. And researchers estimate that up to 19% of dementia prevalence could be attributable to vision impairment. So what if the eyes could also help us detect changes in the brain earlier? Your retina isn't just connected to your brain—it's neural tissue and part of the central nervous system. And researchers are increasingly studying whether changes in the retina could become biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline. In this episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, optometrist Dr. Meenal Agarwal explores the rapidly evolving science connecting the retina, Alzheimer's disease, dementia and brain health.  In this episode, you'll uncover: 👁️ Why the retina is considered part of the brain 🧠 What researchers are finding in the retinas of people with Alzheimer's disease 👁️ Why vision impairment is associated with dementia risk 🔎 Why contrast sensitivity may matter more than simply seeing 20/20 🤖 How AI is learning to identify disease patterns from retinal photographs 👁️ What advanced glaucoma teaches us about the eye-brain connection 🧠 Why the future of your eye exam may extend far beyond checking your prescription  Could the eye eventually become one of medicine's earliest warning systems? The science is still evolving—but it may change how we think about Alzheimer's prevention, dementia risk, retinal imaging and the role of optometry in preventive healthcare. Whether you're a healthcare provider, patient, parent, or anyone interested in how the eyes & brain work, this episode will change how you think about the retina, Alzheimer's, dementia, and more. Join the waitlist for Dr. Meenal's upcoming book, Stuck in a Flat World: How Screens Rewire Our Brains, Spatial Awareness, and Sense of Safety, coming Fall 2026.  At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal explores the powerful body–brain connection, revealing how vision, neuroscience, mental health, and preventive care intersect — empowering listeners to recognize early signals before they become diagnoses. 🎧 Tune in and join Dr. Meenal Agarwal as we reimagine what it means to be well in today's complex healthcare system. Because healing starts with understanding — and Uncovering Your Eyes. Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal