Prevalence and Risk Factors for Double Vision in Parkinson Disease

Some patients with Parkinson Disease (PD) report double vision, but its prevalence and determinants are unknown.

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for diplopia in PD.

Using data from 26,790 PD patients and 9257 controls in the Fox Insight Study, we compared the prevalence of diplopia using the Non-Movement Symptom Questionnaire. Associations with age, race, gender, disease duration, and scores on MDS-UPDRS part II, and Penn Parkinson's Daily Activity Questionnaire were assessed with generalized estimating equations.

The point prevalence of diplopia was higher in PD (18.1%) than controls (6.3%, P < 0.001) at baseline, and 28.2% of all PD patients reported diplopia at least once during the study (period prevalence). PD patients with diplopia were more likely to be older, non-white, have greater disease duration, and report greater motor, non-motor, and daily activity limitations.

Diplopia is common and associates with motor and non-motor severity in PD.