Print

Print


12th June 2009 - New research
PARKINSON'S DISEASE CAUSES THINNING OF THE RETINA
Archives of Ophthalmology [2009] 127 (6) : 737-741 (Hajee ME, March WF, 
Lazzaro DR, Wolintz AH, Shrier EM, Glazman S, Bodis-Wollner IG.) Complete 
abstract  
People with Parkinson's Disease have been found to suffer a thinning of the 
retina. The retina is a light sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the 
eye that is essential for vision. For more information about the retina go to 
Retina. A study quantified the thickness of the retina in people with 
Parkinson's Disease. No difference was found in ?the thickness of the outer 
retinal layer in Parkinson's Disease, when compared to people of the same age 
that don't have Parkinson's Disease. However, the thickness of the inner layer 
of the retina was found to be significantly reduced in Parkinson's Disease. 
This lessening of the retina could affect eyesight as Parkinson's Disease 
progresses. This effect on the retina may be because dopamine, whose 
deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease, besides being produced in the brain, is 
also produced in the retina, and so is liable to cause deficiency symptoms 
there as well. In order to refer to this article on its own

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn