Vision and Parkinson’s: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Options | Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting specific neurons in an area of the brain. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, over a million people in the United States live with Parkinson's, and 90,000 people are newly diagnosed each year. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of Parkinson's has doubled in the last 25 years.

Certain symptoms of Parkinson's, such as tremors, are the most recognized characteristics of the disease, but Parkinson's can also affect vision.

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. It has been designated to raise awareness of this increasingly common neurological condition. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it's important to understand the visual symptoms and what you can do to manage them.
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Symptoms of Parkinson's 

Parkinson's can cause a wide variety of symptoms that affect movement, cognitive ability, and mood. Possible symptoms include: 

• Tremors
• Slow movements
• Balance problems
• Stiffness
• Decreased facial expression
• Softer voice
• Sleep problems
• Depression

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How Parkinson's disease may affect vision

Parkinson's disease affects the brain's ability to control movement. This can include the eye muscle movements.
Vision problems can develop due to poor eye muscle coordination, such as reduced control of eye movements. 

Certain medications used to treat Parkinson's may also exacerbate visual symptoms. For instance, anticholinergic medication may cause light sensitivity or blurry vision. Other types of Parkinson's medication can increase dry eye syndrome. 

Vision issues that may develop include:

• Double vision from muscles having trouble working together
• Dry eyes from decreased blinking that can occur with Parkinson's 
• Blurry vision as a side effect of Parkinson's medications
• Trouble opening the eyes due to reduced muscle movements 

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Effects of visual problems in Parkinson's disease  

Visual symptoms can lead to some of the effects listed below. 

• Difficulty reading
• Problems judging distances
• Headaches after visual tasks
• Eye fatigue
• Redness and irritation 
• Increased falls

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Why eye exams are critical

Maintaining good vision is essential for everyone. But for people with Parkinson's disease, it takes on additional importance.  Parkinson's disease can affect balance, independence, and overall quality of life. Visual problems can compound these issues, worsening them.

Early intervention to help treat visual problems associated with Parkinson's disease can decrease fall risk and help maintain independence
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Treatment strategies 

Treatment may include any of the strategies and interventions listed below.

Prism glasses: Prism glasses can help reduce double vision by bending light before it enters the eye. If double vision is a main symptom, prism glasses can improve visual comfort and reduce the risk of falls. 

Medication adjustments: If medication may be contributing to visual side effects, it's important to talk with your doctor. Changes in medication may include adjusting the dose or the timing of medication. However, always speak to your physician before making medication adjustments on your own. 

Vision therapy: Vision therapy can include targeted exercises to improve eye muscle coordination. These types of exercises should be guided by an eye care specialist and may include eye-tracking activities.

Everyday tips: Individuals with Parkinson's should follow everyday tips to improve vision, such as using good lighting, taking frequent breaks from screens, and increasing font size on devices as needed. 

Remember, good vision is essential for staying active and independent, especially if you are living with Parkinson's disease. If you have any questions about Parkinson's disease and how it can affect your eyes, we are happy to help. 

Also, if you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.