just read this in email - i have retinal problems - described like plastic wrap with a wrinkle in it - that's how the doctor described my left eye. going to opthamologist. i've been putting this appt off for so long i can't even say it out loud. this could be why my vision is deteriorating in my left eye.

Linda H. sent the whole article if you are interested.
this could be important to many of us.
paula

Neurological Diseases Major Discovery
09 May 2009

Researchers at the Université de Montreal (UdeM) and the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University have discovered that cells which normally support nerve cell (neuron) survival also play an active and major role in the death of neurons in the eye. The findings, published this week in The Journal of Neuroscience, may lead to more streamlined therapies for a variety of acute and chronic neurological disorders, including glaucoma and retinal artery occlusion.

sounds like what I had. macular degeneration
you -do NOT want to delay treatment. I used "Lucentis" which is $6000 per treatment(yikes!!), but there is another med which is almost as good that is about $400 per treatment. My eyesight is 20/20 again.
don't procrastinate with your sight , not being able to see and PD would be a real pain!!

your friend
Charlie

Hello Paula,

This is old news in Europe. Since the fluid behind the cornea is made up mostly of dopamine, retinal tears, glaucoma, cataracts are quite common problems in PD patients.

Same with estrogen. Secondary effects are the "great advances in Parkinson's disease" currently being promoted by neurological researchers as well as NPDA and APDA. If the neurologists had listened to patients who have had the disease for years and have complained about heat, eyesight, women finding their Sinemet doesn't work around their periods, restless legs, as well as numerous other problems perhaps our quality of life would be more insured. Instead associations have been and still are using patients to raise funds for that cure that is only five years down the road. When I found breathing difficult five years ago, I was told I had anxiety. Now researchers claim it as "an advance in research of Parkinson's disease symptoms." Same with the eyes. When my retina tore, I researched and discovered a study of genitic familial PD showed a common symptom of eye difficulties. I printed this research paper up and showed it to the optholmologist, my neurologist, and was told that I spent too much time on the internet.

I find that primary care physicians are much more open to reading research than the specialists.

Good Luck,
Vicky

Thanks to both of you. I've had more than one eye exam where they said something was going on in the retina. They never mentioned a connection to PD.

paula

Hi all it's been awhile.

I can say that when I'm off my eyes bother me quite badly. I can't seem to focus them or get "enough" light to be able to unblur my vision no matter how bright the light is in the room. I've gone as far as putting magnifying glasses in front of my regular glasses plus putting the a book right up to the lamp in order to read it. I noticed too that I can't seem to find a focal point no matter where I hold the book.

My neuro too says that this is my eyes and has nothing to do with the PD. It's frustrating to no end, but perhaps this study will show my neuro that what I was saying is true about my vision.

John