Calling it as a major breakthrough, researchers have concluded that protein causing clogs in brain also accumulates in eyes leading to cataract in Down syndrome patients.

The researchers are developing an eye test to detect signs of Alzheimer's in both disorders.

Dr. Lee E. Goldstein, Associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine, co-author of the study said, "People with Down syndrome develop symptoms of Alzheimer's-type dementia often by the age of 30”.

Dr. David G. Hunter, Ophthalmologist-in-chief at Children's Hospital Boston was excited at the outcome.

Goldstein revealed that the team of researchers is in process of developing a test for the eye scanning to measure the protein, amyloid-beta, in the eye lens which will help in early diagnose of the Alzheimer's disease.

The research will provide the way for detection and monitoring of the related pathology in the brain.

The procedure for the test involves injecting the eye drops and then taking the photograph of the eye with an infra red camera. Damaged nerve cell will be highlighted by chemical marker.

Alzheimer’s disease, form of dementia, disables the person to perform the daily activities and is most common in old people.

The report was published in the May 20 issue of the journal PLoS One and was tabled during meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Fort Lauderdale.