Vision gone bad is it due to the ringing in my... - Tinnitus UK

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Vision gone bad is it due to the ringing in my ears

Niamh1804 profile image
18 Replies

Ever since I had this ringing in my eats since January ever since to now October I've gradually noticed it's hard to explain but you know when you look at the sUn or light or the sky and look away and you see colours everywhere and like a trail of what you just saw like say I was looking at something for a while then look away and I could see that object in my sight for about 5 seconds that's what I keep seeing and also floaters in my vision too. I never really took notice of it because I thought it was normal in some people but I don't know and it's worrying me bec I don't want to loose my eyes sight. Its like a static TV all the fuzzy colours and bright colours too. It's like when you shut your eyes and see all the colour and fuzzyness I see that even when my eyes are open but it's when I look at a wall or in the sky mostly and I just want it to go away. I'm booking another appointment for my eyes but I'm still a teen I don't want my vision to go I'm so scared and panicking. I've also had a few headaches and my RingING in my ear's has become louder. I have really good long distance vision and last time I went to the opticians they said my eyes looked fine and that there was nothing wrong with them this was like 3 months ago and I had the colours and all that back then too I've had it since the start of this year

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Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804
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18 Replies
emily62 profile image
emily62

Hi

I have the same thing 3 years on it is connected to negative pressure pressure problems in the middle /inner ear in my case I think.

i also have slight double vision.

Doctors don't seem to be able to help

emily62 profile image
emily62 in reply to emily62

Ps over time my eyes have got a lot better from when it first started so it should improve.

I know it's not easy but try not to worry

All the best x

bridgeit profile image
bridgeit

If your eyes have been checked out as OK by a professional ophthalmic optician, they should indeed be fine as indicated, so don't worry about that - but please don't ever again look up at the sun!

However, you mention that you have headaches too. I suggest you make a note of when you get your headaches, how often and how bad they are, also if you see any visual disturbance when you get your headaches (including just before and afterwards) and what you are doing when headaches occur including what you were doing just beforehand e.g. exercising or using an ipad or similar. Also, make a note of what you were eating that day. Make a note of the kind of tinnitus you hear (ringing, pulsing, thunder etc.) and if it is louder when you have headaches.

Then go and see your GP and share that information about your headaches and tinnitus with her/him.

If your GP advises you that all is fine, do bear in mind that anxiety causes stress and stress causes all sorts of real, physical symptoms. Unfortunately, anxiety is perfectly normal when we're teens, but can be helped with exercise and meditation, such as mindfulness.

Also, I make no assumptions, but have learned to ration time spent using a smartphone/ipad. Quite apart from the effect on eyes through strain (we tend not to blink as much when engrossed), it also puts the head at an angle that encourages neck muscle tension, which in turn causes headaches and blood flow issues................... you get the picture.

I hope things quickly improve and your worries soon diminish.

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to bridgeit

I've looked all over the internet and theres a conotion called visual snow and apparently it is very rare but it is like what I see right now and it started like a month or so after the ringing in my ears. I do spend a lot of time on my phone and sit and lay in awkward positions my bones always click and my eyes hurt so could it be that or the ringing. If it's the ringing could it go once the ringing goes

bridgeit profile image
bridgeit in reply to Niamh1804

That's a question you need to ask a medical professional.

When you do see your GP, you can ask about migraine and how vision and head noise (aka tinnitus) can be affected by muscular strain, blood flow and pressure. Your GP should spend some time explaining this to you and advise about next steps for you. My personal opinion re clicking bones: if you're straining your neck muscles you could also be pulling on the cervical vertebrae therein which causes clicking as the bones re-align when you straighten up. You're young, so I doubt there's need for you to get too worried about awkward posture just yet, but do try to keep your head nicely balanced on top of your neck with your head upright rather than constantly leaning forward for most of the day. Try not to hunch your shoulders either. Look up good neck/shoulder posture online and some exercises to help maintain it. For every inch that you lean your head forward, you're putting an extra 10lbs of weight on your neck muscles......... that's a lot of weight for your neck muscles to handle if it's a constant habit e.g. phone usage, and muscles can quickly tighten up.

Finally, my advice is based solely on personal life experience Niamh, I'm not medically trained at all. Please don't take any of my offerings as a substitute for visiting your GP!

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to bridgeit

I have been stressed and depressed this year especially right now

Green68 profile image
Green68

Hi the vision disturbances you describe could be migraine. I suffer migraine but without the crushing headaches but I do get vision disturbance, flashing lights, temporary blind spots and zigzag lines travelling across my vision and sometimes double vision. It took 5 years of visits to my GP and numerous hospital referrals before my optician suggested migraines and I was referred to a consultant ophthalmologist who diagnosed ocular migraine. Funnily enough it started around the time I first developed intermittent tinnitus which has since become chronic. Ocular migraine won't lead to vision deterioration and will go away on it's own if you just rest your eyes until the symptoms subside and your vision returns to normal. See your GP and ask for a ophthalmologist referral. Best thing you can do is NOT to get stressed about it, same goes for the tinnitus.

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to Green68

I think the tinnitus and the visual snow is linked because as far as I can remember I never had the static TV sight and colours until this year and I had the tinnitus in jaunary and have ever since so I feel like once the tinnitus goes the vision problem's will. I used to have awful headaches last year where if I'd bend down I'd have a painful thumpi in my head and it's gone now. My head used to click a lot when I'd move as on walking this year but it's stopped now

Green68 profile image
Green68 in reply to Niamh1804

Tinnitus and migraine are both neurological in origin so it could be related, I've always believe that my tinnitus and ocular migraine are linked, but the medical jury is still out on that. I avoid migraine triggers and have found that the tinnitus is not as bad as a result, but is still chronic. Have a look at the uk migraine trust website. Stay positive

cjb2 profile image
cjb2

If you are seeing floaters in your eyes in bright light then it is possible that you might have PVD (posterior vitreous detachment) where the gel like substance in your middle eye has detached from the retina. It is more likely in people who suffer from shortsightedness that have a prescription of a magniture larger than -5 i.e. the eye ball is elongated. Unfortunately there is no cure for this but debris that causes the floaters will eventually sette to the bottom of the eye and be out of your field of vision but will have to change the prescription of your glasses or contact lenses. It is worth getting this checked out by an opthamologist as it could also indicate a retina detachment which is an emergency operation that could lead to blind spots in your vision.

It is unlikely that there is a link between tinnitus and an eye condition unless it is a combined infection but it is worth getting your blood pressure checked and reduced if it is too high and keep active. Also increase vitamin and mineral supplements as this maintains the healthy senses that we rely on

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to cjb2

I went to the opticians yesterday and they did all the necessary checks and they said my vision was clear and my eyes looker absolutely fine and there is no damage. I am being referred to a GP but I think I know what I may have which is visual snow. Doctors and Opticians dot really know what it is and what causes it and the cure because it is rare but most people with visual snow also have tinnitus so I believe they are connected therefore if my tinnitus goes then so will my vision problems. I have seen it read that it has happened too

cjb2 profile image
cjb2

Sorry to hear about this as I have never come across this condition where I have had to live with Keratoconus in my right eye since the age of 12 (now 49) so can appreciate your concern about your sight. If the opthalmologist has said that they cannot see anything then although I am entirely speculating over this, it could be a persistent viral infection that has become trapped and caused both the auditory and optic nerves could become inflamed. Without going into detail about this, it could be distorting the electrical signals that your brain is processing from yours eyes and ear which might explain the conditions that you are getting especially with your vision. It is worth getting your doctor to recommend an MRI scan and also blood tests to investigate further for a diagnosis. Try increasing your vitamin intake where if it an infection would fight it off.

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to cjb2

What vitamins do you recommend

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804 in reply to cjb2

I did have an ear infection start of this year a really bad one in both ears but I went to the doctors a few more times they said it cleared so I don't know. Could I have an infection in my nerves for these 10 months then??? As u said

cjb2 profile image
cjb2

I would suggest taking mineral and vitamin supplements that have got A, B, C, D, E and K in them. I had a middle ear infection which had started as a sinus infection back in the summer but was told to do more exercise to keep blood pressure down, cut down on saturated fat, sugar and salt, eat more fruit and vegetables and do more exercise. I am not completely clear of the tinnitus even now but it has eased off considerably. It is worth a try to see if that works.

Green68 profile image
Green68 in reply to cjb2

Don't want to worry anyone but if someone is a smoker or ex-smoker they should consult there GP before taking Vitamin A suplements. There are lots of scientific studies that have established an increased risk of lung cancer when taking beta-carotene for any length of time.

Niamh1804 profile image
Niamh1804

My vision has recently gotten so bad to the point where I can't see anything in the dark only static and also the sky is static too

abic77 profile image
abic77

Hi Niamh-sorry I haven’t read the comments so if I’m repeating what someone has said I apologise.

What you describe in your post sounds like migraine. I have recently (3 weeks ago) been diagnosed with chronic migraine and as a result have done LOADS of reading up on migraines and symptoms etc. I never knew this but my neurologist told me the tinnitus and headaches/visual disturbances etc are all linked.

I’ve been keeping a headache diary for 6 months now and has been really helpful for the neurologist to help with diagnosis.

There’s an app called Migraine Buddy-it’s very detailed and takes a while to get a handle on all the bits you need to fill in but it’s super helpful for the dr as you can download summaries etc.

Good luck, get to the GP as it’s a long process so sooner you get there and your first step in the door the better!

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