Glaucoma is the most common ocular disease in Parkinson's

According to research published in Klinica Oczna the most frequent ocular complaints in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) are dry eye syndrome and glaucoma.

The results, compiled by Dr Nowacka et al., Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical Academy, Szczecin, Poland, were based on information published in the PubMed library.

Diagnosis of ocular diseases, symptoms and bioelectrical dysfunction of the PD patients was performed using tear film tests, perimetry, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and colour and contrast sensitivity tests, as well as electrophysical recordings such as EOGs, flash pattern and multifocal ERGs and VEPs.

The most frequent ocular diseases within PD patients were determined to be dry eye and glaucoma. Additionally, the most prominent bioelectrical dysfunction was identified in the outer layers of the retina and was found in EOG, PERG and mfERG tests.

As a result, it was found that PD visual deficits could occur without any significant changes in routine examination. Extra attention should be given to the diagnosis and treatment of both glaucoma and dye eye syndrome during the examination of patients with PD.