Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often have difficulties with visual acuity in low-contrast images. Because they may have normal high-contrast vision, this is often overlooked during routine eye exams. In the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, researchers report that PD patients had significantly worse vision for low-contrast images at close (40 cm) and far (2 m) distances. Even for high-contrast images, PD patients' vision was deficient at far distances.
In addition, the degree of low-contrast visual deficiency correlated with PD severity, suggesting that such visual testing may provide insights for the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of PD. To provide an easy-to-use screening tool for physicians, the investigators have developed an iPad-based application that can replace the traditional paper charts used in normal eye testing.
Thirty-two patients with PD and 71 control subjects were studied. All subjects received a neurological examination, which included the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and vision testing using the Variable Contrast Acuity Chart displayed on an Apple iPad 2. Usual corrective lenses were worn by subjects that required them.
Testing was done at high contrast (black letters on a white background) and at 2.5% contrast (grey on white) at distances of 40 cm and 2 m. The chart design and testing protocol were based on the Bailey-Lovie and Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (EDTRS) visual acuity tests that are the standards in ophthalmology clinical trials. Using a scale of visual acuity based on the number of letters correctly identified, PD patients could see about 10% fewer letters than control subjects in the low-contrast tests at either distance and in the high-contrast tests at 2 m. There was no statistically significant difference between PD and control subjects in the high-contrast testing at 40 cm.
"Visual impairments can have a significant impact on quality of life and day-to-day functions," explained lead investigator Charles H. Adler, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ. "However, impaired contrast sensitivity in PD patients is a topic that has received relatively little attention in clinical practice. The electronic form of low contrast acuity letter chart we used in this study combines contrast sensitivity with visual acuity testing and is quick and easy to administer. It is portable, quantitative, and adjustable for testing distances and contrast levels."
With the iPad app used as a quick screening tool, better visual testing of PD patients could be implemented. Dr. Adler and his co-investigators stated that, "We believe that an assessment of low contrast acuity should be considered as part of the standard eye exam in PD, as it may reveal an otherwise missed visual impairment in these patients, help clinicians define a set of criteria for counseling them regarding safety while walking and driving at low-light conditions, and guide both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions that increase functional capacity."
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by IOS Press BV. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
More here:
Parkinson's disease patients have reduced visual contrast acuity
- Tango Parkinson's Therapy (Washington U. in St. Louis) - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment-Exercise Program-Part 2 of 4 - May 14th, 2011 [May 14th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Stem Cell Treatment - Part 2 - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Deep Brain Stimulation treatment for Parkinson's disease - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment-Exercise Program-Part 4 of 4 - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- James, Parkinson's disease, after stem cell treatment at Tiantan Puhua Hospital Beijing - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Stem Cell Treatment - Part 1 - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment -- Mayo Clinic - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- When should I start treatment if I have Parkinson's Disease? - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- parkinson-treatment-with-cupping-4.flv - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- New treatment options for Parkinson's Disease feat. Nashville Predators coach Brent Peterson - June 8th, 2011 [June 8th, 2011]
- Speech Treatment in Parkinson disease: Sharon Kha's Story - June 8th, 2011 [June 8th, 2011]
- How you can help cure Parkinson's - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- TV9 - LADIES CLUB : "PARKINSON DISEASE" - CAUSE, SYMPTOMS - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Treatment: Case #1 - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- parkinsons cure - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- A Parkinson Patient Finds their Miracle. FCR Treatment helps Parkinson's Disease. - July 3rd, 2011 [July 3rd, 2011]
- Parkinson's Treatment: Case #2 - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- TMJ Treatment Helping with Parkinson's Symptoms Dr. Gary Demerjian Burbank, California - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Treatment at Ta'ir Laser Center testimonial - July 16th, 2011 [July 16th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease client pre and post treatment - July 17th, 2011 [July 17th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment. Part 2 - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment part4 - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Glutathione for Parkinson's Disease. Learn why it helps symtoms - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment. - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- parkinson-treatment-with-cupping-1.flv - July 20th, 2011 [July 20th, 2011]
- 7.30 - a treatment for Parkinson's Disease can cause problem gambling - July 27th, 2011 [July 27th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Improve with Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment: Dr. Gary Demerjian - July 29th, 2011 [July 29th, 2011]
- Werth Parkinson Centre, Daniella - Treatment - August 4th, 2011 [August 4th, 2011]
- 6.30 - Parkinson's treatment - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- MDTV: New Drug Treatments for Parkinson's Disease - September 10th, 2011 [September 10th, 2011]
- Pakistan Parkinson's Disease patient Treatment, in chennai Surgery hospital - DINAMALAR - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Parkinson's treatment gives life back - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Parkinson Doctor Sarasota Discusses Parkinson's Disease Treatments - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- New treatments for Parkinson's disease - pt 1 - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Year and a Half Later... - Video - October 19th, 2011 [October 19th, 2011]
- Still Life: The Search for a Parkinson's Cure - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Can Exercise Treat Parkinson's? - Video - October 30th, 2011 [October 30th, 2011]
- Parkinsons Treatments | Symptoms Parkinsons - Video - November 2nd, 2011 [November 2nd, 2011]
- Symptoms - November 3rd, 2011 [November 3rd, 2011]
- Revolutionary Treatment for Parkinson's - Video - November 4th, 2011 [November 4th, 2011]
- Herbal Treatment for Parkinsons disease and recovery - Video - November 7th, 2011 [November 7th, 2011]
- Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment (part 1 of 4) at Penn Medicine - Video - November 15th, 2011 [November 15th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Video - November 18th, 2011 [November 18th, 2011]
- MDTV: Parkinson's Disease: Treating Off Times - Video - November 20th, 2011 [November 20th, 2011]
- parkinson-treatment-with-hijamah-therapy.3gp - Video - November 24th, 2011 [November 24th, 2011]
- parkinson-treatment-with-cupping-2.flv - Video - December 3rd, 2011 [December 3rd, 2011]
- Parkinsons Antioxident treatment before with Dr. Offutt.MOV - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- Teva Presenting Data on MS and Parkinson's Disease Treatments - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- LSVT® LOUD Treatment Benefits Parkinson's Disease Patient -- Hendricks Regional Health - Video - December 14th, 2011 [December 14th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Cure - Dating - Video - December 21st, 2011 [December 21st, 2011]
- Parkinson's Treatment part-2 - Video - December 29th, 2011 [December 29th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Treatment - Video - January 1st, 2012 [January 1st, 2012]
- Parkinson's Treatment - Deep Brain Stimulation - Video - January 2nd, 2012 [January 2nd, 2012]
- Parkinson's cure with out medicine - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease and The Argentine Tango - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- Parkinson treatment shows positive results in clinical testing - Video - January 15th, 2012 [January 15th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Patient Testimony "Lad" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Parkinson - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- parkinson-treatment-with-cupping-3.flv - Video - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease: Balance, Gait (Walk) and Tremors Improve with New Non-Surgical Treatment Part 2 - Video - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Researchers visualize the development of Parkinson's cells - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- NPH diagnosis in San Tan Valley man returns him to normal life - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- Laser targeting could help fight Parkinson's - February 1st, 2012 [February 1st, 2012]
- Study of live human neurons reveals Parkinson's origins - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Lauren Sciences LLC awarded MJFF grant to develop a V-SmartTM therapeutic for Parkinson's disease - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- "Biochemistry", Advances in Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Improve with Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment: Part 2 - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Parkinson Disease - Surgical Treatment - Video - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- MediGait Announces: GaitAid Device for Parkinson's Disease Shows Significant Step-initiation Improvement in New Trial ... - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Tai Chi Makes Parkinson’s Patients Steadier on Feet, Study Says - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Cleveland Clinic Joins 23andMe in the Search for Genetic Clues to Parkinson's Disease - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Cleveland Clinic to Recruit Parkinson's Patients for 23andMe - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Fairhope Parkinson's patient enters film in contest to awareness of disease - February 15th, 2012 [February 15th, 2012]
- Tai Chi may help Parkinson's patients regain balance - February 16th, 2012 [February 16th, 2012]
- Weight Training May Help Parkinson's Patients Retain Function - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease and Exercise: How Much Is Beneficial? - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- Study shows exercise may help Parkinson's patients - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]