eye blinking and PD

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: eye blinking and parkinson's disease

I do not have eye blinking as I have dry eyes. This is the symptoms of Parkinson's. I feel tired easily as I use eye tears to moisten my eyes. I stop driving at night or rainy as I have poor vision. There are reasons: Is due to Parkinson's medication; Sinemet, Requip or Jumex that I am taking? Is my masked face (muscles stiffness) that affecting the rate of eyes automatic blinkinga? Is my T.I.A (Blood clot) recently that affecting my eyes automatic blinking as I do not have problem before?
Back to top
Dr. FernandezJoined: 20 Jan 2007Posts: 90
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject:

Decreased blink rate is a very common finding in PD. It is probably not cause by any of the drug. Rather, it is intrinsic to the disease. There are some drugs however, such as anticholinergic drugs (trihexyphenydyl or benztropine) and amatadine that can occasionally cause dry eyes, which is not a good thing when one already has decreased blink rate. Usually though, it is not that bad. Natural/artificial tears often do the trick. But if the eyes are too dry, it could get irritated and there could be some scleral or corneal abrasion and this will need more aggressive treatment. See your ophthalmologist to make sure that your eyes don't need extra attention and simply needs lubricant. Yours,_________________Hubert H. Fernandez