Vision Problems. Please help!

[teden11]

Hi. Im a 19 year old female with severe health anxiety and I am currently experiencing horrible visual symptoms. It started with the sudden development of eye floaters about a month ago that caused me extreme stress. Then I started looking into it and read up a bunch about stuff like visual snow, after images, etc. and ever since that point - I spiralled. I see static now :(! Just like I read about. I also have weird circular patterns/disortions in my vision that start when I look at a surface (eg. wall) for more than a few seconds. I also think i see movement in my peripheral vision. The sky also looks sparkly when I go outside.

Ophthalmologist say my eyes are perfectly healthy!

My question is: Is this anxiety messing with my vision? Has anyone experienced any of this? Will it go away once I treat my anxiety? i am starting CBT therapy next week. Please help.

[Abbiejade3]

My vision always goes strange when Im really anxious, mainly blury and as though theres something in my eyes which I try to rub out, which then can increase my anxiety! It is very common with anxiety, I would remind yourself of this and that your eyes are healthy. CBT will definitely help, when I done CBT it covered what physical symptoms anxiety can cause and why and so helps you to understand whats happening to your body as anxiety is very physical! Best of luck

[teden11 in reply to Abbiejade3]

I understand vision going blurry but this other stuff in my vision is freaking me out thank you for your response

[Mike7777 in reply to teden11]

I have had and still do actually have. The same vision symptoms you do. Are you on any meds and is your bloodwork normal? I have high hemoglobin and hematocrit. Which means my blood is thick. Other than that nothing yo attribute to my symptoms. The docs mainly say its anxiety.

[teden11 in reply to Mike7777]

All my blood work is normal. Every single test they have done thus far (even MRI!) has come up normal. Everything points to anxiety for me . I just don't know how to get rid of the vision issues :/ How long have you had them?

[Mike7777 in reply to teden11]

Honestly they wont go away. Mine havent, they just get better and sometimes get worse. It goes back n forth. Ive had these issues on and off for couple years. You need to learn to just be present with it. Look at my previous posts if ud like. Keep me posted because literally i have all your visual symptoms. Also, i take ativan about 3 times a week and baby aspirin everyday. Other than that no meds.

[Wcrp102]

I had the same vision problem the first time anxiety hits me years ago. It was a terrible situation but it goes away with time. Now my vision is okay. Just hang on it will pass

[Willie211]

Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with you or your vision. NOTHING. Your eyes and the surrounding muscles are just reacting to the stress and anxiety you are having. I've been there. I know all about this. Really I do. Now, however uncomfortable this is - the solution is to accept the sensation - quietly accept - over and over. Really accept it for what it is - which is nothing more than your body reacting to stress. I really want you to believe me because it's completely true. Going over and over it - and seeing various doctors - only adds to your anxiety. You are perfectly fine. And - you are not alone. Really - you are not alone.

[teden11 in reply to Willie211]

Thank you so much for this. I truly needed this.

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Migraine, tension headaches, all related

[twilightgecko]

i have always had anxiety & vision problems.. i never realized they could be related.. floaters are annoying, but i have a spot right smack in the middle of my vision that appears like a photo bleaching spot.. but it's been there weeks.. and i have had some bad anxiety lately.. hmmm.. interesting