Weird Eye Sensitivity
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KnitOrMiss
Posts: 10,104 Member
Has anyone else found their eyes to have heightened sensitivity to light? I've always been sensitive in that walking into sunlight without sunglasses would trigger headaches and such, but that has lessened quite a bit since I've added coconut oil into my diet regularly.
However, I'm finding that brief moments of bright light (like a glare off a car hood on a bright sunny day, looking accidentally right at a bright bulb, or a camera flash, etc.) are triggering long interference in my vision. You know the odd tracts you get in your vision when someone pops a flash right in your eyes?
It is very much like that. But whereas that usually fades in a minute or two, this goes on for five minutes or longer, slowly fading. It is primarily in my right eye, and it's only been going on a week at most, maybe three times I can think of. I have my annual eye check on the 21st, so I'll definitely have them look at things (they always do, because I had Lasik several years ago, so they have to check deeply for the "warranty" and all). But I'm concerned about that, too, because they will dilate my eyes, and yes, I'm having my guy drive me, but my vision is acting this wacky without dilation, so???
There is no time of day or food link (early morning, late evening, and mid-day)...
And it's weird, too, that if I deliberately look and focus in that area, for example, right now, it is in my right outer/lower edge. If I look straight ahead, thing tingle/wave/static feel of things is pronounced, but if I look down and to the right, out of the "corner" of my eyes, the effect stops almost completely.
Does anyone have any ideas? No other stuff accompanies it that I've recognized, and it isn't like black or "tears" or blurred vision, and it isn't an effect I've noticed much, but... I'm concerned, even when common sense is telling me I'm being silly about worrying. Living with a man who is fully blind in one eye, as well as having a father whose retina partially detached, makes me aware of how keenly life can change with vision issues.
However, I'm finding that brief moments of bright light (like a glare off a car hood on a bright sunny day, looking accidentally right at a bright bulb, or a camera flash, etc.) are triggering long interference in my vision. You know the odd tracts you get in your vision when someone pops a flash right in your eyes?
It is very much like that. But whereas that usually fades in a minute or two, this goes on for five minutes or longer, slowly fading. It is primarily in my right eye, and it's only been going on a week at most, maybe three times I can think of. I have my annual eye check on the 21st, so I'll definitely have them look at things (they always do, because I had Lasik several years ago, so they have to check deeply for the "warranty" and all). But I'm concerned about that, too, because they will dilate my eyes, and yes, I'm having my guy drive me, but my vision is acting this wacky without dilation, so???
There is no time of day or food link (early morning, late evening, and mid-day)...
And it's weird, too, that if I deliberately look and focus in that area, for example, right now, it is in my right outer/lower edge. If I look straight ahead, thing tingle/wave/static feel of things is pronounced, but if I look down and to the right, out of the "corner" of my eyes, the effect stops almost completely.
Does anyone have any ideas? No other stuff accompanies it that I've recognized, and it isn't like black or "tears" or blurred vision, and it isn't an effect I've noticed much, but... I'm concerned, even when common sense is telling me I'm being silly about worrying. Living with a man who is fully blind in one eye, as well as having a father whose retina partially detached, makes me aware of how keenly life can change with vision issues.
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My eyes are a light grey-green (more green that grey), and I've been light sensitive my whole life (someone commented elsewhere about less color pigment in the eye making some folks more light sensitive). I also have always had (very well tested for no real issues) enlarged optic nerves.
I'm honestly starting to wonder if it might be a low blood pressure thing. I've now had some broth, but since I switched to my protein drink things in the morning, my mornings have not had any added salt... Not feeling any other side effects of the salt stuff though. Also, when I switched to a beta blocker mid-summer (allergic to other BP pill), it dropped my blood pressure measurably lower than my previous medication (the other type).
Having finally gotten fat burning, scale dropping, and inches shrinking again, I'm wondering if I might have bumped that step low enough to drop my blood pressure. I did notice more sensitivity to cold in the last week or two, also...
I'll test it when I get home. Anyone know the best times of day to test? Normally, I take my pill at noon every day.0 -
I can't really comment because I have had odd problems with my eyes long before I started LCHF. But yes, BP can be a factor.0
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You ever had neck problems? Problems with your ears? Possible nerve that's pinched causing the intermittent symptoms and the ability to relieve them with certain movements, would be my guess. It's not like blind spots, is it?0
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This might be just me and my particular set of health issues, but here is what happens for me. I don't mean to highjack your thread at all, but something may be helpful, you never know.
Most of my recent ( last 15 years ) eye problems are directly related to my bilateral vestibular hypofunction, my inner ear damage. I have so many stimuli around me that can trigger episodes of dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, headaches, vomiting etc, such as my own body experiencing motion, loud or certain irritating noises, and also visual irritants. Watching other people or objects in motion, or observing bright lights, fluctuating light sources, even watching the sunlight flickering through the leaves of the trees can trigger dizziness for me, which produces headache and dizziness, but also impairs my vision.
The dizzier I get as a result of what I can see, hear or feel around me, the less reliable my vision becomes. I've undergone so many tests surrounding this issue, everything from measuring my balance deficit to an eye test after becoming dizzy. The therapist got me into a dizzy state by having me shake my head ( not something I ever do on purpose) then having me try to read the eye chart. It was amazing to see how blurry my vision becomes when dizzy, like I am impaired. Kind of cool, but I never want to undergo any of that testing again.
I did leave all those vestibular therapy sessions armed with coping strategies for all situations. I always have sunglasses with me, and will put them on indoors if I have to. In fact I also bought another pair, the kind that can fit over top of my regular glasses, so can even have more protection from bright fluctuating lights. I also regularly use earplugs, and carry them with me everywhere.
It is amazing to me how our eyes and ears work together. With my damage, I have to take very good care that glasses are up to date, so that my vision is always as good as I can get it, in order to maintain my equilibrium. I can't rely on my inner ears, so the only other factors in maintaining balance are my muscles to hold me up and my vision.
I must say that this WOE has me feeling better than I have felt in years, so my symptoms are very manageable. I think my issues are not related to how I eat but have been helped by the way I eat. Good thing you will check this out.0 -
Please excuse me Carly, I want to give Janice a little insight that may help her, and others, understand what is likely happening with the dizziness. In our inner ear there is a section that has little projections, like hairs, that move when you do, to control equilibrium. When these hairs fail to function properly, you have dizziness, vertigo....symptoms depend on how dysfunctional they are. The medical community doesn't know why this happens (genetics, trauma...) nor is there a treatment to fix it. Treating the side effects of the dizziness, as you seem to have well in hand, is the only options available.
@Carly, I'm glad you have an appointment to get your eyes cheese checked!
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I posted in another thread that I've had extensive testing done on this too. I was formerly diagnosed with "shopping cart syndrome," which is also called benign positional vertigo. I was on meds for a year or so for it, but that was all before I started losing weight. I dropped them after a time (having complications with correct dosage, and the medication was one of those not listed specifically for usage in this condition, but was one of the off-plan side effects, and it was a diuretic, so I weaned off of it with potassium drops and such)... I haven't had any of the symptoms since, really, in the last several years that I can recall.
I also was told that essentially my brain isn't speaking the same exact dialect as my ears, eyes, and feet (all related to balance input signals), and so that is why I will do this weird sway thing if I close my eyes while standing still, etc. I also get car sick easily, and can't read in the car, etc. But I haven't had any of these major issues going on in years, either. But I also tend to avoid trigger situations as much as possible.
That all being said, I have not had another episode at all, but I did forget to monitor my blood pressure this weekend. I'll report back of any changes.
(And no worries to anyone about hijacking a thread! We're all here to help and learn, so that's all good in my books!)0 -
There may be a sensitivity issue. I've noticed over the last few weeks that when I accidentally look towards my overhead projector, that I am more blinded and for a longer time than I remember. Something to investigate -yeah, a definite maybe link with lc.0
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There may be a sensitivity issue. I've noticed over the last few weeks that when I accidentally look towards my overhead projector, that I am more blinded and for a longer time than I remember. Something to investigate -yeah, a definite maybe link with lc.
What, that our eyes are healing and getting "younger" too? Dunno if I really want increased sensitivity. Will report back after eye doc appointment near end of month.0 -
Follow up - two episodes this week, doc appointment moved to Friday. Will report back. No apparently blood pressure or medication link, and most episodes have been within 1-2 hours of eating, so low blood sugar very unlikely.0
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I have had benign positional vertigo. Suffered with it for months to the point of nausea. I had it treated by a doctor in Lawrence, Mass (of all places). He is one of the few in the country, who uses a chair that simulates the epley maneuver with no meds. It had to do with salts in the cochlear. Fantastic results! If anyone is suffering from this I will gladly give you his name. I have been symptom free for over 3 years.
I also recently had vitreous detachment which was responsible for bright flashes in my peripheral vision, and a 'black moon" off to the side and then seeing floaters. It happened in Target and I pretty much freaked out. After seeing several eye doctors in Boston, Mass. and I even went to Mass eye and ear. The diagnosis was it is a natural process of aging. Some people get it in their 30's and 40's but usually the process occurs after 50. The vitreous fluid becomes less jelly like and more liquified as we age and it pulls away from the back of the eye. Your vision should not be affected and there is really nothing anyone does for it. Your brain eventually compensates and you won't see it as much. Still it was pretty scary. I asked about the correlation with LCHF and the sudden onset of this condition. The doctor did not know of any link and attributed it to "just age".
I also have typically low/lower BP, pretty much all my life 108/65 and I am highly light sensitive as I am a very fair, green eyed red-head. I actually used to have beach blindness in the summer if I don't wear shades. I haven't noticed a difference more of less to light sensitivity with this woe.
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Beta antagonists (blockers) are going to have a constricticting effect on the eyes...Miosis aka "pinpoint" pupils better suited for near sight. The only other effect could be from Raynaud Phenomenon manifesting as circulation problems...more commonly with cold feeling digits. Could effect the eye with poor circulation but not typical. Beta blockers can mask features of hypoglycemia with the exceptions of autonomic features like sweating & hunger...blurred vision is common in hypoglycemia, but you've tested BG to rule this out.
NSAIDs are more typical for causing light sensitivity.
Personally, I can not stand light, which is why I sleep during the daytime. My eyes are really photosensitive (blue-grey) probably from my 1g/day physiologic dependence on caffeine.0 -
slimzandra wrote: »I have had benign positional vertigo. Suffered with it for months to the point of nausea. I had it treated by a doctor in Lawrence, Mass (of all places). He is one of the few in the country, who uses a chair that simulates the epley maneuver with no meds. It had to do with salts in the cochlear. Fantastic results! If anyone is suffering from this I will gladly give you his name. I have been symptom free for over 3 years.
I also recently had vitreous detachment which was responsible for bright flashes in my peripheral vision, and a 'black moon" off to the side and then seeing floaters. It happened in Target and I pretty much freaked out. After seeing several eye doctors in Boston, Mass. and I even went to Mass eye and ear. The diagnosis was it is a natural process of aging. Some people get it in their 30's and 40's but usually the process occurs after 50. The vitreous fluid becomes less jelly like and more liquified as we age and it pulls away from the back of the eye. Your vision should not be affected and there is really nothing anyone does for it. Your brain eventually compensates and you won't see it as much. Still it was pretty scary. I asked about the correlation with LCHF and the sudden onset of this condition. The doctor did not know of any link and attributed it to "just age".
I also have typically low/lower BP, pretty much all my life 108/65 and I am highly light sensitive as I am a very fair, green eyed red-head. I actually used to have beach blindness in the summer if I don't wear shades. I haven't noticed a difference more of less to light sensitivity with this woe.
You want to know something totally wacky? I was diagnosed with that condition, BPV aka shopping cart syndrome many, many years ago. I took medication for a while, but had some pretty harsh side effects so eventually stopped. I'd always been told it was an inner ear imbalance, because I got car sick all the time, and that was a common culprit, but after nearly every test known to man, and a specialist who actually took the time to listen, it was determined that I may or may not have BPV (maternal grandfather had severe vertigo, mother had something, don't recall details), as motion can still get me uneasy, but I had this weird sway thing, too, to where if I stood completely still, closed my eyes, I essentially felt like the world was swaying, and eventually I would start to sway to keep my balance, etc. More testing revealed that it wasn't an actual issue with my functionality, but rather, in layman's terms, an operating system glitch. The easiest way to explain it was that my input devices (eyes, ears, feet) were running off one "system" and my brain was essentially running on a older system...so they just didn't talk to each other correctly. She gave me some exercises, and frankly I didn't worry about it much.
I'd say 85-90% of the issues resolved themselves as I've lost the 70 or so pounds I've lost so far (I still get the motion stuff, but I've learned how to isolate it - and I still have the sway stuff, but I'm not standing around with my eyes closed much...lol), but it did not occur to me at all that this could be related to that... I'll have to print this note out so my eye surgeon can check on the idea and see if I need another referral.
I've always seen floaters once in a while (though that has been far less too, lately, now that I think about it), but this thing is just weird... It's really just like an amped up, extended version of a reaction to a flash, but with a weird bit of "pressure" and "pressing" feeling on my eye(s) and ear(s)... And most of my stuff has lessened, but this thing is new...first time was 9/24.
My BP was pretty steady at 110-125/72-78 for years upon years, but I had to get on hormonal birth control medication for another condition, and that caused me to develop moderate consistent high blood pressure with spikes. I was on the lowest dose of Lisinopril for over a year, and developed the side effect of being severely sensitive to the sun (walking across the parking lot to my car or driving home ten minutes with the sun on my arm through the window would cause sunburns/blisters). So they switched me to Atenolol, which is a beta blocker, still lowest dose. The efficacy was better, it brought my medicated pressure back down similar to my original numbers, and I don't remember when I started on it...but I think June or July... My endocrinologist was expressing concern that since my blood pressure was low/normal at my appointment last week around 9 am or so, PRIOR to me taking my med at noon, that I might need to monitor and drop my dose to half a pill, but tracking it so far that does not seem to be necessary...
I've always been highly light sensitive. Fair skin, light colored eyes, having to wear sunglasses or getting near migraine like level headaches from sun exposure. But I work with a full panel of windows that face east 7-8 a feet from where I sit. Sometimes if it's really bright, I have to close the blinds. But, in general, I've been less sensitive as far as pain/discomfort levels since this WOE and switch BP meds... SIGHBeta antagonists (blockers) are going to have a constricticting effect on the eyes...Miosis aka "pinpoint" pupils better suited for near sight. The only other effect could be from Raynaud Phenomenon manifesting as circulation problems...more commonly with cold feeling digits. Could effect the eye with poor circulation but not typical. Beta blockers can mask features of hypoglycemia with the exceptions of autonomic features like sweating & hunger...blurred vision is common in hypoglycemia, but you've tested BG to rule this out.
NSAIDs are more typical for causing light sensitivity.
Personally, I can not stand light, which is why I sleep during the daytime. My eyes are really photosensitive (blue-grey) probably from my 1g/day physiologic dependence on caffeine.
Considering that I've always had odd pressure readings on my eyes, it should be interesting to see what effect the meds have on them. I take it at noon, and my appointment is at 1:40 pm, so I should definitely have full effect...
I don't seem to have any circulation issues as far as cold digits or anything like that, but I don't know.
I did not know they BB could mask features of hypoglycemia. That's actually really interesting. But, I kind of know when I have too much sugars or something that causes an Insulin spike, because I get postprandial somnolence. It's really annoying. That's my only experience with low blood sugars on this diet. I have not manually tested my BG in a while, but while I was having the worst of these spikes with PS effects, my blood sugars followed normal parameters. I've since focused even further on eliminating the spikes and drops... I've had maybe 2 in that month?
I made the mistake of getting a blood sugar control supplement and took it a few days. Whatever the heck was in it made me crash after every meal and all kinds of crazy, so I stopped it. Anecdotal evidence indicates that most likely it was dropping my blood sugars too much after a meal due to the supplements, since my blood sugar was already managed by diet... My problems remained with insulin levels, not directly with glucose levels.
But all that said, this isn't a blurriness. I can still read and focus. It's isn't the dark obstructions like a detaching retina (my dad had that, so I know the signs). It isn't the dizziness, losing consciousness type stuff (I had severe ovarian cysts rupture once so badly that I had the black narrowing tunnel vision, ears ringing, cold clamminess, dizziness, heart racing, all of that). I really, truly just reminds me of the reaction that happens when someone is taking your picture and you make the mistake of looking at the flash - the "starry" effect that has. But, this is not in the central part of my vision like a "flash" reaction would be. It tends to be in the lower outside quadrant of my right eye primarily (sometimes it's an L shape from my temple along the outside of my eye, to my tear duct), and once, maybe twice, in the lower inside quadrant of my left eye too.
It's just that lingers longer (because a flash thing returns to normal in a few minutes....this takes 5 or more times longer) - like yesterday - I didn't time it, but I think it was 30-45 minutes. And it's and odd sensation of external pressure on the outside of my eye, but from inside my head. It's really difficult to explain. And I don't know if it is a pressure thing, because my ears do mini-pops quite often.
I was taking some NSAIDS last week due to menstrual discomfort, but I haven't taken anything this week. My caffeine consumption might have been lower this week, not that I drink much at all, but not noticeably so. And this has been inconsistent with time of day, etc. Add to those factors that I went well over a week (almost 2), without an incidence, then had two incidents two days apart is just STRANGE. I hate not being able to figure things out!!!
Oh well, now I get to wait until tomorrow afternoon to figure it out...
Thanks everyone, for your thoughts and discussion!0 -
Could it be a form of ocular migraine.....I have the pressure but mine is a spangly that grows over time to move out of my field of vision.... some worse than others.1
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I'm glad you are seeing a professional to tend to this. When it comes to your eyes, get a really good professional to diagnose your issue - a licensed Ophthalmologist, not an optometrist or optician and don't be afraid to see multiple doctors if you don't like the answer at first glance.
I have dry eyes and high ocular pressure and just over the counter eye drops lessened the frequency of the flashes. Good luck, keep us posted.0 -
pootle1972 wrote: »Could it be a form of ocular migraine.....I have the pressure but mine is a spangly that grows over time to move out of my field of vision.... some worse than others.
The doctor's assistant I spoke to yesterday mentioned this, too, but it seems unlikely so far, since I only have lingering discomfort for a short while, and no headaches after... Mine hit suddenly, then fade slowly, the flashes stop, then the pressure.slimzandra wrote: »I'm glad you are seeing a professional to tend to this. When it comes to your eyes, get a really good professional to diagnose your issue - a licensed Ophthalmologist, not an optometrist or optician and don't be afraid to see multiple doctors if you don't like the answer at first glance.
I have dry eyes and high ocular pressure and just over the counter eye drops lessened the frequency of the flashes. Good luck, keep us posted.
My doctor is an optometrist, but I've seen an opthalmologist - he's the one that put me on the Acetezolomide for the BPV...and a certified vestibular specialist....and an otologist, I think as well as an ENT-Otolaryngologist. I swear, I've hit up every eye/ear related specialist! LOL
My primary eye care doctor is very thorough and is the one who sent me to the opthalmologist in the first place... But if I don't get answers, I won't give up. Our eyes are too precious.
My ocular pressure has usually been high, my optic nerves have ALWAYS been enlarged, and I get tested for glaucoma (the super thorough test) at least once every three years just to be sure.
My eyes have never been dry, though, before, during, or after contacts - or before, during, or after Lasik (7-8 years ago). I've been very blessed that way. Will advise!0 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »I posted in another thread that I've had extensive testing done on this too. I was formerly diagnosed with "shopping cart syndrome," which is also called benign positional vertigo. I was on meds for a year or so for it, but that was all before I started losing weight. I dropped them after a time (having complications with correct dosage, and the medication was one of those not listed specifically for usage in this condition, but was one of the off-plan side effects, and it was a diuretic, so I weaned off of it with potassium drops and such)... I haven't had any of the symptoms since, really, in the last several years that I can recall.
I also was told that essentially my brain isn't speaking the same exact dialect as my ears, eyes, and feet (all related to balance input signals), and so that is why I will do this weird sway thing if I close my eyes while standing still, etc. I also get car sick easily, and can't read in the car, etc. But I haven't had any of these major issues going on in years, either. But I also tend to avoid trigger situations as much as possible.
That all being said, I have not had another episode at all, but I did forget to monitor my blood pressure this weekend. I'll report back of any changes.
(And no worries to anyone about hijacking a thread! We're all here to help and learn, so that's all good in my books!)
Wow, sorry, all, to resurrect such an old thread, but I'm in the process of investigating something tangentially related to this, and I'm in that deer-in-the-headlights, black-cat, Friday-the-13th feeling, because in watching the documentary last week on how 90% PLUS people who have hypothyroidism actually have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. They started talking about the co-morbid issues that often go along pointing to Hashi's, but that most don't know to look for. Headaches, eye issues, digestive woes, VERTIGO, acne, etc.
I stopped in my tracks. HOLD THE DAMNED PHONE. Then, she dropped the A-bomb on me.
YOU CAN TEST NEGATIVE FOR THYROID ANTIBODIES AND STILL HAVE HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS.
I felt like the bottom of my world just opened up and below me was a black hole. Literally everything I thought I knew about my thyroid issues was thrown into doubt. So right now, I'm currently in freak out/talk to everyone/research my butt off mode. I go back to my Endo next month, and I'm going to be requesting more testing, and adjusting my treatment so that we can either confirm this once and for all, or rule it out completely.
Considering my thyroid issues don't act "normal" or respond as expected to traditional treatments, that autoimmunity is already proven to run in my family (mother and her family line), that this woman started to talk about factors that people don't usually line up with each other because it's just not associated like that, that I had wondered in the first place enough to have the tests done, that this could be at the root of all my other weird crap that doesn't fit any other explanation, etc., and so on and so forth, I felt like that scene in any movie where some truth is just dropped on a character, and they have that "DUN...DUN...DUN!!" moment... I'm in turmoil, but the more I read and research, the more things keep clicking. I don't want to have this version of the condition, because it just complicates everything, but it would also consolidate everything and required more drastic changes...but it is also kind of clarifying my vision on some aspects of things...
I'm scared...but it's not like I can undo whatever this is...
So anyway, for anyone else in this arena of things, please don't stop searching. The wrong treatments can treat the symptoms without ever addressing the underlying issues. If this is the direction my road is going now, it will have been, what, nearly a decade of misery to get diagnosed?!? We need to change this...
Some of the comments I got on the blog post I did about this also mentioned Hashi's, but I had blown it of, because I'd been tested and just KNEW I didn't have it... HA!!!! So now, all the little domino soldiers are lining up... Anyone want to help me knock them down?0 -
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Yep. There's such a thing as seronegative RA and Lupus and Sjogren's, too. Yipee...sigh.
How do we even fix this mess...if I had an RPG, I'd blast those little *kitten* good.0 -
slimzandra wrote: »I'm glad you are seeing a professional to tend to this. When it comes to your eyes, get a really good professional to diagnose your issue - a licensed Ophthalmologist, not an optometrist or optician and don't be afraid to see multiple doctors if you don't like the answer at first glance.
I have dry eyes and high ocular pressure and just over the counter eye drops lessened the frequency of the flashes. Good luck, keep us posted.
@slimzandra does your advice to not visit an optometrist in this case come from you being an optometrist or is it just a personal opinion?0 -
@GaleHawkins Just personal opinion based on a past experience. Your mileage may vary.0
