This paper is a general overview of the visual problems likely to be encountered in PD. Changes in vision in PD may result from alterations in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour discrimination, pupil reactivity, eye movements, motion perception, visual field sensitivity, and visual processing speeds. Slower visual processing speeds can also lead to a decline in visual perception especially for rapidly changing visual stimuli. In addition, there may be disturbances of visuospatial orientation, facial recognition problems, and chronic visual hallucinations. Some of the treatments used in PD may also have adverse ocular reactions.

Anticholinergic drugs such as benzhexol and diphenydramine act to decrease acetylcholine levels, the effect of which is enhanced by the lack of dopamine. Benzhexol may have a significant mydriatic effect and therefore, should not be given to patients with anterior angle closure and should be used with caution in those with a narrow anterior chamber angle. Prolonged exposure to this drug in a few patients may cause an angle closure of gradual onset but without acute symptoms. Optometrists may be the only health practitioners aware of this risk, that is, it is always important to assess anterior chamber depth in PD patients. In addition, photophobia and decreased accommodation can occur resulting in blurred vision.

It is important that those symptoms due to adverse reactions are distinguished from those due to the disease process itself.

Armstrong RA. Visual signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2008;91(2):129138

et al et al.......

Sinemet Top Concerns:
Groggy
Visual Disturbances
Bleeding
Leg Swelling (treato.com/Sinemet,Visual+Disturbances)

quote from another support site " Also I have been experiencing visual disturbances Flashes of light shining through the trees early in the morning and in the evening. This has caused mild seizure activity in my arms. This started back about 2 months ago now. The dr ordered a CAT scan but that showed nothing. I take sinemet 25/100 3 4 times a day, 1 amantadine hcl tabs 100 mg 3 times a day, requio xl 2 mg 3 at bedtime, 2 sinemet er 25/100 at bedtime . Anyway I'm going to see the MDS tomorrow just wanted to know if anyone shared these symptoms.
have a Blessed Day
Joy"

i slso had visual issues until i quit the meds.


peace

brer t

sinemet causing visual disturbances is mentioned in hundreds of websites and professional papers.

Thanks. Only happened 2 times so at least it's not an on going thing.
Just kind of freaky the 1st time it happened. Do remember I was a little late on my 2nd dose of Sinemet and took my 3rd dose at the regular time so it might of been a little too much.Did look cool looking at the stars with rainbow colored spikes radiating from them, but in the house the bright lighting was a little painful to look at.

Terrrapin Hey excellent response. In thinking about vision issues I have noticed that if i move from indoor lighting to out door and back insideit takes longer fo my eyese to adjust to inside light than itused to. I often cut across the court yard at work. I wear glasses for astigmatism and near sighted with photo gray lenses. any thoughts.

whith pd I often worry that every little change in health is related to the dissease I have to remember that some stuff happens that has nothing to doo withit

ps I hate it when I click send by accident before I have a chance to clean up pd typing. lol

hisknobs! i do know that from the time i started sinemet to 2 yrs later i went from regular glasses and a slight improvement in my vision to trifocals, however im not so sure its sinemet, its impossible for me to assign blame on either sinemet or pd, there is lots of studies that say both can do it.....one more big "i dont know" for the charts.......hopefully, slashman, it will go away.....


Brer T

Will keep an eye on it. It does seem to take longer to focus on things. Especially since my Movement Disorder Specialist upped my dosage to 9 pills a day. Guess you have to look at the pluses & minuses of your medications.