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> Subject: Vision Problems in PD In addition, PD can affect the small muscles around the eye which are used to maintain focus. Bradykinesia (abnormally slow movement) can cause the oculi (eyeballs) to remain fixed focus, and not allow a change of focal length from, say, short for reading, to long, for distance sight. With dyskinesia (abnormal muscular movement), the oculi can not retain a focal length, and with dystonia (abnormal muscle tone) the oculi may jerk about, thus making focusing nearly impossible. It is necessary when considering any muscular problems, not only those applying to the eyes, to take into account that PD is predominately a disorder of the CNS (Central Nervous System), which in turn affects the fine motor control of muscles throughout the body. When diagnosing any disorder in a person with PD, the possible effects of PD on that part of the body should be taken into account. To make a judgement based on one examination, taken at a time when that part of the body is in, say, a bradykinetic state, is to render the diagnosis faulty when either of the other states is present. For example, prescribing spectacles when dyskinesia is present may make those spectacles unsuitable for a bradykintic or dystonic state. Indeed, more than one pair of spectacles may have to be supplied, with the measurements taken in each possible state. Dr J. F. Slattery, PhD Soc Sc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn