Does Parkinson’s Disease Affect the Eyes?

In the same way that Parkinson’s disease (PD) can impact general motion, it can also impair eye movement, making it challenging to keep items in focus or see things up close, such as when reading or driving. In addition to interfering with reading and driving, visual disruptions can exacerbate walking or balance issues and even contribute to hallucinations.

Parkinson’s disease may also impair the capacity to perceive specific colours or diminish their appearance. PD results in the loss of retinal cells in the eye that depend on dopamine for colour processing and perception.

Parkinson’s disease could also potentially affect the eyelids. People with PD blink less frequently, which can cause eye dryness, discomfort, or burning. Untreated, dry eyes can cause scarring of the outer layer of the eye, leading to partial or even total vision loss over time.

Some individuals with Parkinson’s disease have the opposite problem of excessive blinking, which can lead to involuntary eye closure and blepharospasm. A few individuals with PD also suffer from eyelid apraxia, a syndrome that causes difficulties opening the eyes.

The treatment of vision changes relating to PD will depend on the cause. The doctor will assess a person’s symptoms and recommend the best treatment.