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As a catecholamine pecursor, levodopa can cause increased adrenergic tone and tend to dilate the pupil weakly. Dilatation of the pupil can exacerbate narrow angle glaucoma, or precipitate an attack of acute glaucoma, theoretically. In practice, however, this is seldom, if ever, a problem in PD patients. The old drugs, like benztropine or trihexyphenidyl have atropine like effects - and they are more likely to cause problems. It is NEVER a problem if you have TREATED glaucoma - either with drugs instilled in the eyes, or by fenestration of the iris to relieve the pressure. The drugs used to treat glaucoma constrict the pupil so powerfully that their effect is not overcome by levodopa. If you have had surgery for glaucoma, you have nothing to worry about since the pressure has been relieved mechanically. Jorge Romero, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 1:46 PM Subject: Re: PD & Glaucoma > Christine wrote: > > > > Does anyone on this list know if Glaucoma is at all connected in some way with having PD? I have had glaucoma for three years and have talked to others with PD who have glaucoma. Seems to coincidental to me. > > Christine > > [log in to unmask] > > Christine, there appears to be a link between sinemet and narrow-angle > glaucoma; whether it effects or exacerbates the glaucoma, I don't know. > Best regards, > Kathrynne > > > -- > Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD > "Ask the Parkinson Dietitian" > http://www.parkinson.org/ > Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" > "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" > http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn