Visual Changes in Parkinson’s Disease | Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disease that affects the nervous system. It causes a variety of symptoms that often progress over time. It can also lead to some changes in the eyes. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to learn more about this disorder and how eye problems can be managed. 

What is Parkinson’s disease? 

Parkinson’s disease affects the substantia nigra region of the brain. This area of the brain controls movement. The disease leads to a variety of symptoms that typically start gradually.
Symptoms may include the following:

• Tremors
• Balance problems
• Trouble walking
• Rigid limbs
• Problems sleeping
• Mood changes

The progression of symptoms may vary from person to person. The cause of Parkinson’s disease is not fully known. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatment options, such as medication, may help decrease symptoms, including tremors. 
​

Eye problems related to Parkinson’s disease

In addition to the symptoms above, some people with Parkinson’s also develop issues with their eyes. Although vision loss is not one of the symptoms, some other eye issues may develop.
According to research in Neurology, people with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop problems with their vision, such as trouble with depth perception, than the general public. Possible vision and eye-related issues may include:

Changes in eye movement: Your eyes move in different ways. One of the movements is called saccadic eye movements. Saccadic movements are when your eyes move quickly from one thing to the next, such as when you are reading. In people with Parkinson’s, their saccadic eye movement slows. This may make it more difficult to do certain activities.

Double vision: Double vision may also develop, usually as a side effect of some medications used to treat Parkinson’s.

Dry eyes: In some instances, Parkinson’s disease may affect a person’s ability to blink. When less blinking occurs, it can increase the likelihood of developing dry eyes.

Blurry vision: Certain medications used to treat Parkinson’s, such as anticholinergics, may cause blurry vision as a side effect.

Blinking abnormalities: Most of us blink without even thinking about it. Some people with Parkinson’s disease blink more than normal or less often. An inability to open the eyelids voluntarily may also develop. 
​

​Ways to manage eye changes 

When eye symptoms develop due to Parkinson’s disease, there are things you can do to manage them. Consider the following:

Get regular eye exams: See your eye doctor for an eye exam as soon as you are diagnosed. Determine the needed frequency of eye exams to deal with any issues that might develop.

Consider seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist: A neuro-ophthalmologist is a specialist that has additional training in treating eye problems that are associated with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s.

Use artificial tears: If you develop problems with dry eyes, use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to reduce irritation and discomfort. You can also apply a warm, moist compress to help ease any eyelid dryness.

Skip the bifocals: Abnormalities in eye movement may cause the need for glasses that help you see far away and those that assist in seeing up close. Instead of using bifocals, getting two pairs of glasses, including one for reading and one for distance, may be a good option.

Botox injections: If you have problems with excessive blinking due to Parkinson’s, Botox injections in the surrounding muscles can help reduce the problems.

Most people with Parkinson’s disease can maintain healthy vision even when they develop minor eye issues. If you have any questions about keeping your eyes in good shape with Parkinson’s, we are happy to answer your questions.

If you would like to ask about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.