How Parkinson’s Disease Affects Eye Health

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

You have probably heard of Parkinson’s disease as a disorder affecting older people. In New Zealand, around 1% of people aged over 60 are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and most diagnoses happen over the age of 60. Earlier onset can happen, too. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease so it can take years for symptoms to become pronounced.

At present, no medications are available that can slow the progression of the disease. However, medications can be given to treat the symptoms, which include slow movement, shaking or trembling of hands or limbs at rest, and coordination and balance problems.

How Does Parkinson’s Disease Affect Vision?

As Parkinson’s disease affects movement, it can affect the movement of the eyes. This can be most noticeable, and problematic, when watching fast-moving action. It can also affect everyday activities like reading. Eyes may also have trouble tracking together or converging when watching something that is coming towards them.

Many people associate Parkinson’s disease with involuntary shaking or twitching, particularly of the hands and limbs. This can affect the eyes and eyelids, too, and manifest as involuntary eye closing, blinking, and twitching. If the opposite problem occurs and people aren’t able to blink their eyes as much as they should, dry eyes can also occur.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease may also experience a decline in their visuo-spatial orientation and have difficulty differentiating between shades of colours. Some people, particularly those who have been suffering from Parkinson’s for a long time, may experience hallucinations or see flickering lights.

Other eyesight problems may be caused by the medication given to treat the various symptoms of the disease, particularly double vision caused by anticholinergic drugs that treat the nervous system.

What can be done to remedy Parkinson’s-related vision and eye problems?

Even if you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may experience some eye problems unrelated to the disease. As you age, your vision can deteriorate in different ways. Something that you might assume is related to Parkinson’s (such as a refractive error) may not be at all. It may be easily treated, or require a different kind of remedy. So, visit your optometrist regardless of other health diagnoses.

Worried about your Parkinson’s disease-related eye health? Book an appointment at Greenlane Penrose Optometrist today.