Ask the Expert: Vision Issues in Parkinson's (2018)

In this webinar on eye problems in Parkinson's patients, Dr Jason Barton, neuro-ophthalmologist and Professor of Medicine (Neurology), discussed issues like dry eyes and blepharitis due to reduced blinking, suggesting treatments such as artificial tears and immunosuppressant eye drops. Emphasizing eyelid hygiene, the talk recommended warm compresses for discomfort.

Parkinson's-related eye problems like convergence insufficiency and square wave jerks were addressed with potential solutions for double vision. The presentation covered three Parkinson's-related eye disorders: square wave jerks, vertical gaze palsy, and ocular hallucinations. Strategies included reading larger text to minimize square wave jerks and using eye movement difficulties for disease differentiation.

Exploring the connection between vision and hallucinations in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, the webinar noted visual deprivation as a hallucination trigger. Addressing this through vision improvement could reduce hallucination likelihood. The discussion also mentioned reported hallucination effects from drugs used for Alzheimer's or REM sleep disorders.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**