The short answer is that Parkinson’s can affect vision in several ways, but its connection to hearing is less certain.

Parkinson’s may reduce blinking, causing dry or watery eyes, irritation, glare, and blurry vision. It can also affect eye movements and how well the eyes work together. This may cause double vision, difficulty reading, trouble focusing on nearby objects, impaired depth perception, or problems moving the eyes from one line of print to another. Some medications can also contribute to blurry vision. Visual hallucinations may occur, particularly later in the disease or as a medication effect.

Low blood pressure is a separate consideration. Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension can temporarily blur or darken vision when standing because less blood reaches the brain and eyes. Severe or prolonged hypoperfusion can potentially injure the retina or optic nerve, but optic-nerve deterioration is not considered a routine vision symptom of Parkinson’s itself. An ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist should evaluate persistent changes.

The connection between Parkinson’s and hearing loss is not as clear. Some research suggests possible changes in hearing or the brain’s processing of sound, but the Parkinson’s Foundation says Parkinson’s has not been clearly shown to directly impair hearing. Aging, earwax, infection, loud-noise exposure, medications, and other conditions are common explanations. An audiologist can perform a proper hearing test.

And Bob says:

Parkinson’s may blur what appears in your sight,
make words seem to wander from left side to right.
Your eyes may feel dry, see double, or strain—
as if Bob’s reading glasses went missing again!

It may alter your focus or depth as you go,
making steps look too high or the floor seem too low.
But not every eye problem comes from PD—
an eye doctor should check what your eyes truly see.

If sounds become muffled or words disappear,
don’t assume Parkinson’s has entered your ear.
Let an audiologist test what is true—
because wax, age, or medicine may cause it too.

If vision suddenly disappears, becomes severely blurred, or looks like a curtain has fallen over one eye, seek urgent medical attention. Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears also needs prompt medical care.

So, check both your hearing and each wandering eye;
don’t blame every change on Parkinson’s passing by.
Bob may misplace his glasses and ask, “What was that sound?”—
but proper testing helps keep the right answers around!

⁹