%0 Journal Article
%T Visual Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease
%A R. A. Armstrong
%J Parkinson's Disease
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/908306
%X Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disorder of middle-aged and elderly people in which degeneration of the extrapyramidal motor system causes significant movement problems. In some patients, however, there are additional disturbances in sensory systems including loss of the sense of smell and auditory and/or visual problems. 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. The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) is useful in evaluating retinal dopamine mechanisms and in monitoring dopamine therapies in PD. If visual problems are present, they can have an important effect on the quality of life of the patient, which can be improved by accurate diagnosis and where possible, correction of such defects. 1. Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting middle aged and elderly people. It is a disease characterised by deficiency of dopamine in areas of the midbrain causing a variety of movement problems such as akinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Despite the emphasis on motor function in PD, nonmotor symptoms may also play a significant role in determining the general quality of life of the patient. Hence, the symptoms of PD can include depression, apathy, sleep problems, cognitive impairment, dementia, and autonomic, gastrointestinal, and sensory problems [1]. Sensory problems may include visual loss, loss of smell, auditory problems, and ˇ°restless legsˇ± syndrome (RLS). Visual signs and symptoms of PD may include defects in eye movement, pupillary function, and in more complex visual tasks involving the ability to judge distance or the shape of an object [2, 3]. The symptoms of PD can be treated successfully using drug therapy or surgery, and these treatments may also have visual side effects. Hence, this paper provides a general overview of (1) the visual signs and symptoms of PD, (2) the areas of the eye and brain which may be affected by the pathology of PD, and (3) the adverse ocular reactions to treatment. 2. Visual Symptoms in
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/pd/2011/908306/