According to a new study, there may be an even stronger correlation between a very prevalent eye condition and Parkinson’s disease. This study was conducted among a Taiwanese population and published in BMC Ophthalmology—an open access, peer reviewed journal that publishes articles regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and management of eye-related disorders.
The study was conducted to understand potential causation when both Parkinson’s and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are present in the same patient. Over 20,000 participants were enrolled in the study with equal sized patient and control groups.
The study concluded that there is a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in patients who also have AMD than in those who do not.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration results in the loss of central vision we need to see details straight ahead. Symptoms of AMD often involve blurry or wavy areas in a patient’s central vision.
Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration occurs only through a dilated eye exam, which is another reason why a return to regular in-person eye examinations is so critical—especially for aging adults. People often do not realize they are experiencing symptoms of early AMD.
While AMD can happen to anyone, those who are most at risk of developing AMD are age 55 and older who have a family history of the disease, are Caucasian, and have a history of smoking.
There are several treatments available following a diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Although not entirely preventable, no longer smoking, a healthy diet, and regular exercise have shown to slow the process in many patients.
For late stage AMD, there are also pharmaceutical injections and other laser treatments that may be an option for treating the disease in some patients. Low vision devices and rehab therapy can also help patients living with vision loss caused by AMD.
The best action to take for those concerned about AMD is to consult with a local and licensed ophthalmologist. The team at Palmetto Eye & Laser Center understands how to detect and treat this condition, among many others.
While time will tell of a strong correlation between Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Parkinson’s Disease through further research, annual eye exams are still the best way to care for your eye health. Call Palmetto Eye & Laser Center at 864-583-6381 or reach out online today!
