Could B12 deficiency cause astigmatism?

[Pickle500]

I know that blurred vision is a symptom of B12d/PA but could astigmatism be possible as a result?

I have been diagnosed with it and it seemed a curious thing to happen since I've had perfect eyesight for 45 years.

Could be aging but wondered if anyone knew or had any experience of blurred vision that didn't resolve or appeared later?

[Nackapan]

B12 deficiency definitely can affect eyesight. .When first diagnosed my eyesight had gone down alot .

I tried an old spare pair on and it eas like looking through milk.

Scary.

I had a new prescription made up.

2 months into b12 injections this were too strong.

Went back to what my prescription was 2 years previously..

I've only worn prescription glasses all the time since 48yrs old.

Presbyopia at about 50.

It's definitely worth getting a full eye exam .

I saw a specialist referred by ? Opticuan or Gp.

Optic nerve okay.

Then another to help with light sensitivity

Tge a neuro Opthalmologist as eyes healthy but brain messaging affected.

I was told the same by the dentist.

When I asked tge reply was;

"Of course B12 deficiency affects your teeth and gums"

[Pickle500 in reply to Nackapan]

Interesting that your specs were too strong after 2 months of treatment. Good to know, thanks

[Gambit62 Administrator]

It could be a side effect of muscle weakness which ca be a consequence of B12 deficiency, possibly

[Pickle500 in reply to Gambit62]

Very helpful to know, thanks

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Gambit62]

Yes - it certainly felt like that when eyes got tired and had "shivery vision" - like short episodes of rapid eye movement, but while awake. Don't get this problem at all now, however tired. Blurry vision was also a problem, one I don't now have.

I have by far the worst vision of my siblings, and can see little detail (long/short) without glasses now. Last eye test revealed the reason why I can't now paint in the winter evenings- yellowing of lenses, a pre-cataract condition - so colours all completely wrong, come daylight.

Now have two new pairs - one pair are prescription sunglasses. Now all I have to do is remember to wear them. Or where I put them.

Still preferable to waiting for lenses to automatically adjust from light to dark and vice-versa. Really don't think I have the patience for that.

[jade_s in reply to Cherylclaire]

Cheryl did you ever have "flickering" vision? So hard to describe but sounds similar to what you wrote above, but without the physical eye movements. Or maybe i had movements but didn't realize. Like watching the world through an old movie reel. I had this issue for years & no one on the thyroid forums had any idea what I was talking out, this was before I knew about b12d. I also had visual snow but I guess that's more common. Anyway both are 90-95% resolved but i've yet to find anyone else with the flickering issue so I was curious!

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to jade_s]

The flickering was side-to-side, if I remember it correctly, and definitely felt, as Gambit suggested, like very tired eye muscles, not under my control. Short bursts. Felt like eyes were shvering !

[jade_s in reply to Cherylclaire]

Interesting. Does not sound very nice at all! Glad it's resolved for you!

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to jade_s]

Never for long, or very often, and did not hurt.I was always most worried about cognitive and memory issues, mood swings.

[Gigi216 in reply to jade_s]

Yes I’ve had flickering and foggy, and zigzags

[jade_s in reply to Gigi216]

Oh wow, thanks for sharing! I do hope it's better or resolved completely.

[Gigi216 in reply to jade_s]

Yes as long as I keep my b12 up it doesn’t happen

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Gigi216]

Zigzags - now that must be difficult to cope with !

That doesn't sound so much like weakened muscles, does it ?

[Gigi216 in reply to Cherylclaire]

Yes the zigzags occurred in my peripheral vision and were quite nerve wracking

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Gigi216]

This deficiency takes so many forms, it is exhausting trying to second-guess what will happen next !

I remember how convinced I was that a small local supermarket branch stunk of raw sewage, every time the automatic doors opened. This was the worst of the "wrong" smells that I encountered. Perhaps brain unable to distinguish - or correctly identify "cabbage" that day ?

Bit like trying to find the correct word for a familiar item stored somewhere irretrieveably in the brain - which I think is a far more well-recognised B12 deficiency symptom.

Although the former has now corrected itself over time, I doubt that the latter will ever entirely disappear.

[Lurcher-lady in reply to jade_s]

I used to get flickering vision Jade, which the optician had no answer for. It was mostly in the morning for some reason. I’ve been SI for over 2 years now and don’t get it any more.

[jade_s in reply to Lurcher-lady]

Thanks!! I figured other people must have had it if it was b12d related!

My opthamologist couldn't find anything either. Mine would get worse as the day wore on.

Glad yours has also resolved!

[Hamayeshguy]

In my case my eyesight was 10 out of 10 and after diagnosed with B12 my eyes developed blurriness and double vision. For now I inject almost a year and now I see improvement. Muscle weakness of eyes ball and I think keratoconus effect can cause these problems. Hopefully my symptoms are getting improved and if nerve damage not happens be permanent I think it's gonna take at least two more years to completely be symptom free.

[Pickle500 in reply to Hamayeshguy]

Thanks that's helpful to know. What's weird is that its only happened in the last month and I was v pleased to have avoided blurred vision so far (after more than a year if deficiency).

But I think you and others could be right that the muscle weakness is the cause of keratoconus. Of course no one can confirm that but in the absence of any other reason we can assume. Right?

Good luck to you and keep injecting.

[Sandiij]

Ive had bilateral squints since birth corrected by surgery and glasses. I read some ones post on fb who said following b12 treatment her blurry vision had gone. I lookEd at my eyes without my glasses and the slight turn that was left in one eye wasn't there and the usual blurriness when not wearing my glasses had gone. I had loading doses of vitb12 in July. I choose to believe its due to the b12.

[Pickle500 in reply to Sandiij]

Thanks, that sounds encouraging.