Are These Hallucinations or Vision Changes
Understanding the difference can reduce fear, confusion, and misdiagnosis.
Not everything that looks like a hallucination is one.
Many people with Parkinson’s experience changes in vision that can feel alarming. But what looks like a hallucination is often something different.👉 In many cases, the issue is not seeing things that aren’t there, It’s the brain misinterpreting what the eyes are seeing
Source information can be found under the following:
• visual hallucinations Parkinson’s
• visual illusions Parkinson’s
• visuospatial dysfunction
• contrast sensitivity Parkinson’s
Parkinson's can affect:
• 👁️ The eyes (how clearly you see)
• 🧠 The brain (how what you see is interpreted)
• ⚡ The connection between the twoThis creates a spectrum of visual symptoms, not just one problem.
👁️ Visual Changes
(Eye + Retina Function)
Also called: Visual impairment, contrast sensitivity loss
What's happening:
The eyes are not sending clear visual information to the brain
Common Symptoms:
• Blurry Vision
• Dry Eyes
• Double Vision
• Light Sensitivity
• Trouble Reading
• Depth Perception Issues
👉 This is a true eyesight issue
1. Blurry Vision
What it feels like:
• Words go in and out of focus
• Vision seems worse later in the dayWhat’s happening:
• Reduced blinking → dry eyes
• Tear film instability
• Fatigue affecting focus
• Reduced contrast sensitivity
2. Dry, Irritated Eyes
What it feels like:
• Burning, gritty, or scratchy feeling
• Watery eyes (paradoxical tearing)What’s happening:
• Parkinson’s reduces automatic blinking
• Poor tear distribution
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
3. Double Vision
What it feels like:
• Seeing two images (often intermittent)
• Worse when tired or readingWhat’s happening:
• Eye muscles not working together properly
• Convergence insufficiency
• Fatigue worsens coordination
4. Light Sensitivity
What it feels like:
• Lights feel too bright
• Increased visual fatigueWhat’s happening:
• Changes in visual processing pathways
• Increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli
5. Trouble Reading
What it feels like:
• Losing your place
• Words seem to move or blur
• Reading is exhaustingWhat’s happening:
• Slowed eye tracking (saccades)
• Reduced focus flexibility
• Cognitive processing slowdown
6. Depth Perception Issues
What it feels like:
• Misjudging steps, curbs, or distances
• Feeling unsure when walkingWhat’s happening:
• Brain processing of visual input is altered
• Difficulty interpreting spatial relationships
🧠 Visual Misperceptions
(Illusions / Minor Hallucinations / Visuoperceptual Errors)
What it feels like:
• Seeing shadows or movement that isn’t there
• Objects look distorted or unfamiliarWhat’s happening:
• Brain misinterpreting visual signals
• Sensory processing changesWhen it's worse
—Low lighting
—Cluttered environments
—Fatigue
👉 Key difference: Something is there — but the brain interprets it incorrectly👉 This is a brain processing issue — not true hallucinations
⚠️ Visual Hallucinations
(Formed Hallucinations / Parkinson’s Psychosis)
What it feels like:
• Seeing people, animals, or objects that aren’t there
• Often occurs in low light or at nightWhat’s happening:
• Brain-generated images (not from the eyes)
• Medication effects (dopamine-related)
• Disease progression + sleep disruptionKey difference: Nothing is there — the brain creates the image
Examples:
—People or animals in the room
—Objects that aren't there
—Fully formed scenes
Common Contributors
• Parkinson's progression
• Dopamine-related medications
• Sleep disruptions
• Cognitive changes👉 This is neurological and not related to eyesight
The key difference:
• Misperceptions → Something is there, but misinterpreted
• Hallucinations → Nothing is there, but the brain creates it
WHY THIS HAPPENS
Parkinson's affects both:
• Visual input (eyes)
• Visual processing (brain)
👉 When the brain receives unclear or incomplete information,
it may fill in the gaps incorrectly
This is why symptoms often worsen with:
• Low lighting
• Fatigue
• Busy environments
WHY THIS MATTERS
Understanding this difference can:
• Reduce fear and stigma
• Prevent mislabeling symptoms
• Help guide better treatment decisions
• Improve communication with doctors and caregivers👉 Many people are experiencing misperceptions, not hallucinations
Patient-friendly and clinical terms are both included to support understanding and independent research.
© 2026 TooShaky
Disclaimer: This patient education resource was created by Dawn Howard, Parkinson’s Advocate & Neurological Health Educator, through TooShaky.org, to support individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Content is informed by lived experience, patient education best practices, and information from established medical, nonprofit, and educational sources. Drafting, editing, and organizational support were assisted by ChatGPT (OpenAI) as a writing and language tool, under the direction and review of the author. Educational content and references are drawn from sources including, but not limited to: Parkinson’s Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Davis Phinney Foundation, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, PubMed, PMC PubMed Central, Peer-reviewed medical literature and clinical education resources. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should discuss all medical questions and care decisions with their healthcare provider. TooShaky.org does not provide medical care and does not establish a clinician–patient relationship.
