Parkinson's Disease: Twice as Much to See
@BelleStarr (61102)
United States
May 16, 2016 6:31am CST
Friday morning we had an appointment to see my husband's neurologist. It is his regular every 6 months visit. He has been having issues with double vision. The doctor has now said that he can not drive, at east until we see a neuro-opthamologist.
He also had to go and get some blood work done and schedule an MRI. They have no idea why he is having double vision but they are going to try to determine the reason.
It is rather odd, it only happens in the car when he looks long distance at objects. Items that are closer to him do not double. We tested it ourselves and have determined it is his right eye since if he keeps the right eye closed it doesn't happen.
Our friend Jeff is an optometrist. We were playing dominos with them Saturday night and we asked him about. He had a lot of suggestions for what might be the cause but he asked us to bring in his glasses today and his office will check the lenses to make sure the prescription is correct. Jeff did Al's last exam but we did not have his office make the glasses like we usually do, Al went to his old place of employment which has an optical office for employees which is a lot cheaper.
Maybe cheaper wasn't better or it could be the muscle in his eye, sort of a lazy eye thing and since Parkinson's does affect muscles it does have us wondering. In the mean time I am now the driver and I have no navigator lol
There are many more things about having Parkinson's that we are learning as we go along. It is a very comprehensive disease and so much more than just tremors which he doesn't even have!!
25 people like this
23 responses
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
16 May 16
I am hoping that it is something easily corrected, we will find out I guess. Thank you for that information it helps a lot.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
16 May 16
Yes new and interesting symptoms seem to appear on quite a regular basis we are hopeful however that more is being done to find a cure.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
16 May 16
@JudyEv Michael j. Fox has done wonders with his foundation lots of research is being done at this time.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 May 16
@BelleStarr It must seem sometimes that 'popular' diseases get most of the available research money.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (50995)
• Canada
16 May 16
From my work experience with the elderly, although it was many years ago, I am aware of the many facets of parkinsons. And of course back then you just watched as someone's abilities diminished because this disease had not been thrown into the limelight and there had not been the research that has been done since then.
I pray that your husband's parkinsons goes into remission and that you can grow into your new role as the driver of you and Mr Al. Thankfully you have a very supportive family, and those grandsons will only get more and more attentive as you and your hubs need them.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
This was just a little annoyance overall I think Al is holding his own against a very tough adversary. We are fighting Parkinsons with everything we can.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
17 May 16
bless y'all's hearts. i'm sure such's quite frightenin' 'n i hope that the tests show nothin' drastic amiss. yes ma'am, there's many aspects to parkinson's that many folks don't associate with such...'s with many diseases. sendin' big hugs!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
17 May 16
Our friend the optometrist checked him yesterday and ordered new glasses to correct the issue so I am hopeful.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
18 May 16
@crazyhorseladycx Jeff knew what he thought was the issue and he put Al through a few test to confirm it, it looks like it should be better I hope!! Thank you and keep us in your prayers.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
18 May 16
@BelleStarr oh i so hope that's wherein the troubles lie, hon. big hugs to ya both! this gettin' "well seasoned" really sucks't times!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
17 May 16
I don't know much about Parkinson's but hope your hubby can find the cause of his double vision & it can be corrected
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
17 May 16
Yes he went to our friend today with the glasses and Jeff did an exam and knows what is causing it and is having new glasses made with a prism in it so that it will correct the issue. I am very hopeful.
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
18 May 16
Well I certainly hope it's just something simple. I heard Vitamin C is great for eye health- but he probably takes it already- Now, with your new car you'll have a good excuse to be driving it anyway!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
True but Al doesn't navigate so I now have to do double duty.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 May 16
@MarymargII I have a GPS but they are not that accurate especially in some of the areas we travel in.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
19 May 16
@BelleStarr Yes that can get exasperating- you may need a GPS- We love ours as my husband is terrible with directions--lol!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
About 30% of people don't get them. He doesn't have them at all but there is so much more to it than that. But it does make it a lot easier without them.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 May 16
Thank you , yes it isn't what anyone would have wished for but since it is the hand we have been dealt, wee just need to make it work.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
23 May 16
@BelleStarr It is amazing what we can adjust to and make work. My hubby has a cousin that got it at about 25 and it has been difficult to watch him go through it. He had just gotten married and had his first child.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
16 May 16
I hope its nothing serious ..and can be easily remedied...
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
Keep your fingers crossed he is getting new glasses with prisms in them to get his eyes back in alignment.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
Thank you I am hopeful that the glasses are going to make a difference.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 May 16
@just4him Thank you that is very much appreciated.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 May 16
@BelleStarr I hope so too. He's in my prayers.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
think we have nailed it, he is getting new glasses with prisms in them to bring his eyes back into alignment.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
19 May 16
@BelleStarr That is great news, good luck to you both. I hope things will be easier for him now.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
18 May 16
We are waiting now for the new glasses and hopefully that will cure the issue, keep your fingers crossed.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
20 May 16
@sgbrown Thank you we need all the prayers we can get.
1 person likes this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
20 May 16
@BelleStarr My fingers are crossed and prayer going up! 
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
17 May 16
I have a problem with double vision. As with your husband, it's usually at longer distances. I have no trouble with reading. My eye doctor told me the muscles around my eyes are getting weak and there's no help for it. I don't have Parkinson as far as I know.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
18 May 16
They are going to help Al by putting prisms in his glasses, you might want to see another doctor because it is my husbands muscles as well and it is correctable.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 May 16
Yes I am more of a rider as well but for now I have to do all the driving.
@Tampa_girl7 (50262)
• United States
16 May 16
My grandfather had Parkinson's. He was diagnosed in his late 70's.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
It is more of disease of the elderly than young people but when people like Michael J Fox get it is is often much more severe.
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
16 May 16
I hope they find the problem, and can cure it. In the mean time maybe you should buy a sat nav
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
I do have a sat nav but I am better at nav than it is lol It is not so good in our rural area.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
Thank you, it is annoying to be sure but in the big scheme of things just a small hiccup.Hopefully the new glasses will help.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
Thank you. I hope the new glasses will correct the problem it is a weak muscle in his eye.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
Very hard, he is very independent and enjoys being able to just go down to the lake to fish.
1 person likes this
@LindaCPearson (2240)
• United States
16 May 16
I wish your husband luck. I hope there's an easy solution and not more of the Parkinson's.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
19 May 16
It is a weak muscle in his eye like lazy eye and it could be related to the Parkinson's but not necessarily.
