Fibromyalgia is widely known for causing chronic pain and fatigue, but many people are unaware that it can also affect vision. Blurred vision is a lesser-known but frustrating symptom of fibromyalgia. Learn what causes vision issues in fibromyalgia and the best treatment options to manage eye discomfort and improve daily life.
Understanding Fibromyalgia Blurred Vision
People with fibromyalgia often report vision disturbances, including blurriness, sensitivity to light, and difficulty focusing. While these issues may not be as well-known as muscle pain or fatigue, they are just as disruptive to daily life. The connection between fibromyalgia and blurred vision is complex, often linked to neurological symptoms of fibromyalgia and nervous system dysfunction.
Causes of Vision Issues with Fibromyalgia
Several factors contribute to vision problems in fibromyalgia patients:
1. Neurological Dysfunction
Fibromyalgia is considered a neurological disorder that affects the way the brain processes pain and other sensory signals. The nervous system is responsible for controlling various bodily functions, including vision. When there is a miscommunication between the brain and the eyes, it can result in blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and even increased light sensitivity.
2. Eye Strain and Fibromyalgia
People with fibromyalgia often experience chronic pain and fatigue, which can make their eyes work harder to focus on objects. Tasks that require prolonged eye use, such as reading or using digital screens, can lead to significant eye strain. This strain can cause headaches, dry eyes, and a sensation of tiredness in the eyes, making it more difficult to see clearly.
3. Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary functions such as pupil dilation, tear production, and blood flow to the eyes. Fibromyalgia can disrupt ANS regulation, leading to problems such as dry eyes, inconsistent pupil response to light, and fluctuating vision clarity throughout the day.
4. Medication Side Effects
Many fibromyalgia patients take medications such as antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and painkillers to manage symptoms. However, some of these medications can cause side effects that impact vision. Dry eyes, dizziness, and blurry vision are common side effects that may worsen vision-related fibromyalgia symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Options for Blurred Vision
Although there is no single cure for fibromyalgia blurred vision, several treatments can help manage symptoms effectively.
1. Eye Care and Rest
- Reduce screen time and take frequent breaks when using digital devices. Extended screen exposure can contribute to digital eye strain, leading to headaches, blurred vision, and discomfort. Following the 20-20-20 rule—looking away from the screen every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds at something 20 feet away—can help reduce strain.
- Use lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness. Many fibromyalgia patients experience dry eyes, which can contribute to blurry vision. Artificial tears or preservative-free lubricating drops can help keep the eyes moist and reduce discomfort.
- Adjust lighting to reduce eye strain. Harsh lighting, including fluorescent bulbs and blue light from screens, can exacerbate vision problems. Using soft, warm lighting and wearing blue light-blocking glasses may help alleviate discomfort.
2. Managing Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation or gentle yoga. Stress can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, including vision disturbances. Relaxation techniques help calm the nervous system and may improve overall symptom management.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and antioxidants support eye health. Consuming leafy greens, fish, nuts, and berries can promote better vision and reduce inflammation.
- Stay hydrated to support overall eye health. Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, leading to discomfort and blurry vision. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps keep the eyes lubricated and functioning properly.
3. Medical Interventions
- Consult an eye specialist for a comprehensive exam. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can rule out other underlying eye conditions and provide personalized recommendations for managing fibromyalgia-related vision problems.
- Review medications with a doctor to identify any contributing factors. If certain medications are causing vision problems, a healthcare provider may be able to adjust the dosage or suggest alternative treatments.
- Consider vision therapy if persistent issues occur. Vision therapy involves specific exercises designed to strengthen eye muscles and improve focus, which may help individuals experiencing ongoing vision disturbances.
Conclusion
Fibromyalgia eye problems, including blurred vision, are often overlooked but can significantly impact daily life. Understanding the causes and exploring fibromyalgia treatment options can help manage these frustrating symptoms. If you experience persistent vision issues with fibromyalgia, consult a healthcare professional for guidance. By implementing effective eye care strategies, managing fibromyalgia symptoms, and seeking professional medical advice, you can improve your quality of life and reduce the burden of vision problems. 
What Is Sjogren’s Syndrome? What’s Relationship with Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes a lot of issues. It’s hard for us to get up in the morning, we may feel a lot of ache and fatigue in our bones, and we can struggle with mental health issues like memory loss and issues with concentration.
Of course, the extreme fatigue makes it difficult for many fibromyalgia sufferers to go through their daily routine.
Could you imagine how much worse it would be if you had another fatigue disorder alongside of it? Sjogren’s Syndrome is another fatigue disorder that occasionally shows up alongside fibromyalgia.
So, because of that, we’re going to be taking a quick look at that here so that it is easier for you to notice if it starts to rear its ugly head.
What Is Sjogren’s Syndrome?
Sjogren’s Syndrome is a disorder that affects the autoimmune system. You may have also heard it referred to as “sicca.” This disorder is when your immune system is not paying attention to what it should be doing, and instead starts to attack your tissues and such.
The most common targets of your immune system are the glands that help to produce moisture throughout your body. This, of course, doesn’t sound incredibly dangerous on the surface, but when you really start to look at it, it can cause a lot of issues.
First off, imagine what happens when your mouth is overly dry. You feel like there’s cotton in your mouth, and it may be hard for you to chew and do other activities. Imagine feeling that way all of the time, and you’ve got an idea of what Sjogren’s Syndrome does to your mouth.
It hurts like crazy, your teeth could end up becoming decayed, and you may also get ulcers in the roof of your mouth. Then, imagine other parts of the body that may be dealing with those symptoms as well. Dry skin can really hurt if it’s starting to chap and chafe.
Dry eyes could end up getting ulcers, and in the worst cases, it could affect your vision negatively. If your private areas are not moist, it could make sex uncomfortable and it could make it so that you feel as if you can’t perform other tasks. All in all, the lack of moisture really hurts the person and can cause long term health effects if it isn’t taken care of well.
There are other symptoms as well, including fatigue and extreme pain that makes it hard for the person suffering from the disorder to move around and do their daily activities. In the worst cases, a person can be debilitated and in bed for extended periods of time.
Sjogren’s Syndrome is actually what has prevented a number of athletes from being able to perform, including tennis superstar Venus Williams. In those cases, it can be especially frustrating because the athletes would be able to do their job otherwise, but they are prevented because of the complications that are related to Sjogren’s Syndrome.
How Can Sjogren’s Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Be Linked?
So Sjogren’s Syndrome and fibromyalgia often go hand in hand, mainly because of how it attacks the body. Unfortunately, it can be really difficult to figure out exactly what is going on because so many of the symptoms overlap between Sjogren’s Syndrome and fibromyalgia.
So what are you supposed to do when you can’t figure out exactly what disorder you are dealing with? How are you supposed to take care of the symptoms if you can’t actually get a solid diagnosis of what is going on, especially when it comes to Sjogren’s Syndrome?
The big indicator is the dryness that you are dealing with. If you are dealing with unusual dryness during times of year when you shouldn’t be (because remember, the winter months can sometimes be painfully dry), then you want to keep an eye on it.
If you’re starting to notice that you feel dehydrated or that you can’t deal with the itchy, flaky skin that you have on different parts of your body, it may end up being because you’ve got Sjogren’s Syndrome alongside of your fibromyalgia. Go and talk to your doctor in order to try and figure out what the best treatment plan is for you.
So, How Do You Take Care of it?
There are a few different treatment plans that you can utilize when you’re dealing with Sjogren’s Syndrome. If your eyes are the cause of the problem, then your doctor may suggest that you use artificial tears or that you use ointments in order to try and give your eyes a little more moisture. In some cases, you may also use pellets, which are meant to make sure that your tears stick around for awhile.
If your mouth is the issue, you’ll have to go about it a bit differently. You could try hard candy or gum, which help to make your saliva glands work a bit more. Drink a lot of fluids throughout the day.
If your lips are chapped, use balms to keep them moist. And, if you have pain in your mouth, consider talking to your doctor about using a rinse or gel in order to help reduce the amount of pain you’re coping with.
It’s all about your particular symptoms. Your doctor will do everything that he can to help to relieve the symptoms you’re suffering from, and that, in turn, will help you feel a lot less pain and to have a lot more energy in the long run.
The links between Sjorgen’s Syndrome and fibromyalgia are incredibly interesting to look at, and by having a better understanding of both of them, we will be able to determine if one or the other is becoming an issue in our lives.
If you believe Sjorgen’s Syndrome may be part of your exhaustion issue, make sure to consult with your doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis and to determine the best course of action for your treatment plan.
Source: www.news-medical.net
