Re: PD & Glaucoma

[Jorge A Romero MD <romero.jorge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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" <fivestar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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
> > ncsherriff@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> 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"
> 
> Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
> "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease"
> 
>
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