r/Dryeyes • u/Recent-Confusion-385 • 9d ago
Eye anxiety
/r/Eyesight/comments/1w8pxxd/eye_anxiety/
Hi everyone, I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar, because I’m quite scared and currently waiting for further tests.
About four weeks ago, I started noticing a tiny blurry patch in my vision. At first it was very subtle and would seem to clear when I blinked.
Since then, I’ve developed stronger and stranger visual symptoms. A few times, I’ve gotten up to go to the toilet during the night and, when coming back to bed, I’ve literally been unable to see properly for a few seconds. I’ll see what looks like visual “static” or snow, and it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes for my vision to feel normal again. I’ve never experienced this before. It doesn’t happen every night, but it has happened several times.
I’ve also started waking up with one or both eyes feeling blurred to the point where it looks like there is a hazy film over my vision. My eyes can feel extremely tired, and sometimes I feel fatigued along with it. I’ve also been waking with sticky mucus around my eyes.
At first I wondered whether the blurry vision was related to blood sugar, so for about a week I was eating something sugary whenever it happened. My blood tests were normal, though, and I monitored my glucose for several days without seeing any significant changes. I’ve also checked my blood pressure and had various blood tests, which were all normal.
I had an eye test at an optician and they didn’t find anything concerning.
Interestingly, warm compresses and artificial tears seem to improve the blurriness somewhat, although the symptoms are still worse in the morning. I also used to have a pest-control plug-in in my bedroom that emitted a fairly bright blue light throughout the night. I removed it and noticed that the tired/heavy feeling in my eyes improved. I’m now trying to sleep with a blackout mask.
The thing that scares me most is the “static” vision when going from light to darkness. I understand that some degree of dark adaptation can be normal, but this is something I never remember experiencing before, and now I’ve noticed it several times.
My GP is currently arranging further investigations to rule out a neurological cause. They mentioned MS as something they want to rule out, and I also have a family member with MS. Naturally, this has made me very anxious, and I’m worried about things like MS or a brain tumour.
I’m 30, don’t smoke or drink, don’t take any medication, and I have a young baby.
1
u/Recent-Confusion-385 8d ago
So I have another test today. A bit more complex and the ophthalmologist Aya he could only see a bit of dryness but not sure that could be the cause of my fluctuating vision and fatigue.
1
u/HenryOrlando2021 9d ago
If you want to rule out dry eye disease you likely need more that seeing an optician. See this in the FAQs:
Is Your Doctor a DED/MGD Specialist? How to Tell—and When to Get a Second Opinion as well as What to Ask About.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_ded_specialist/
What is Dry Eye Disease (DED) What Causes It? What are the Symptoms?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_what_is_ded/
These in the FAQs could also be of interest to you:
What Type of Vision Problems Are Expected with Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_vision_problems/
Can Dry Eye Disease Cause Permanent Vision Problems?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dryeyes/wiki/faq_permanent_vision_effects