Can Fibromyalgia Cause Blurry Vision? Understanding the Link

Understanding Fibromyalgia and Vision Issues

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep issues and cognitive difficulties. Recently, many fibromyalgia patients have reported experiencing vision problems like blurred vision. But can the condition directly affect eyesight? Let's analyze the evidence-based connections between fibromyalgia and vision impairment.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is categorized as a rheumatic condition causing soft tissue pain across the body. It affects around 2-6% of the global population - over 75% being women. The predominant fibromyalgia symptoms are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Widespread muscle pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Memory issues
• Mood disorders like depression

What Causes Fibromyalgia Flare-ups?

The exact fibromyalgia cause is unclear but certain triggers are known to worsen its symptoms. These include:

• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Weather changes
• Overexertion
• Poor sleep habits
• Trauma

Linking Fibromyalgia With Vision Impairment

A wide spectrum of vision abnormalities have been self-reported by fibromyalgia patients. Let's analyze these vision complaints and see if fibromyalgia directly affects eyesight or are these two problems coincidental.

Common Vision Issues in Fibromyalgia Patients

Some fibromyalgia-related vision problems experienced by patients include:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulties driving at night
• Sensitivities to light
• Dry eyes and eye strain
• Inability to focus and concentrate visually

Of these, blurred vision, dry eyes and trouble driving due to glare are most commonly reported visual defects in fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, these symptoms are mostly subjective patient experiences, making it difficult to probe the fibromyalgia-vision loss connection via clinical eye tests.

What Research Says About Link Between Fibromyalgia and Vision Problems

Very few studies have examined if fibromyalgia contributes to actual vision impairment. Here are their key findings:

• A 2016 Korean study on 30 fibromyalgia patients found a much higher prevalence of dry eye disease and astigmatism in the sample group versus healthy individuals.
• A 1990 study noted similarities between eye-tracking issues experienced in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis patients. However, the root cause was possibly neurological rather than ophthalmic.
• A few case reports highlight instances of optic neuropathy developing post fibromyalgia diagnosis. But these cases had confounding factors like vitamin B12 deficiency which could cause vision changes.

Clearly, more research is required to establish if fibromyalgia negatively impacts vision over the long term. As of now, the evidence mostly suggests these problems are due to fibromyalgia worsening existing but benign eye conditions.

Why Fibromyalgia Patients Experience Vision Symptoms

While fibromyalgia may possibly not damage eyesight directly, what explains the host of visual complaints experienced by patients? Here are the top reasons cited by ophthalmologists and health researchers:

Fibro Fog Affecting Visual Perception

"Fibro fog" refers to the cognitive dysfunction many fibromyalgia patients display. Brain fog can hamper concentration, sharpness and thought processing - causing you to miss minor visual cues. This may manifest as perceived vision abnormalities like lack of focus or blurriness.

Medications Causing Dry Eyes

Many drugs used for controlling fibromyalgia pain like muscle relaxants, NSAIDs and anti-seizure pills tend to cause ocular dryness as a side effect. Decreased tear production can lead to irritation, light sensitivity and blurred vision episodes.

Sleep Deprivation Impacting Eye Health

Because sleep problems are incredibly common in fibromyalgia, patients' eye health also takes a hit. Insufficient sleep hampers tissue recovery and healing. As the eyes stare at digital screens, stress builds up. Lack of sleep magnifies eye strain exponentially, causing symptoms like blurred vision.

Anxiety Worsening Visual Discomfort

Fibromyalgia and anxiety share deep clinical connections. High stress levels promote pupil dilation, faster blinking and increased eye movements - exacerbating distortions. Hypervigilance caused by anxiety also magnifies your focus on minor eye irritations.

Treatments and Lifestyle Tips to Minimize Visual Problems With Fibromyalgia

While an definitive cure for fibromyalgia continues to evade researchers, patients can try these evidence-backed treatments and self-care techniques to reduce vision symptoms:

Control Light Sensitivity and Glare Issues

Wear tinted prescription glasses when outdoors to control exposure to harsh sunlight. Indoors, place your workstation perpendicular to windows and use anti-glare screens. Gently massage the bridge of your nose to relax eye muscles.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule For Digital Devices

When using phones/tablets/laptops, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a 20 second vision break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away. This reduces digital eye strain.

Use OTC Eye Drops to Keep Eyes Lubricated

OTC artificial tear drops provide moisture, improving blurry vision caused by dry eyes. But avoid prolonged use as drops can sometimes exacerbate dryness.

Ensure Adequate Magnesium, Vitamin A & Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3 Intake

Vitamin A boosts night vision while Omega-3 fats DHA/EPA guard ocular blood vessels. Magnesium relaxes eye muscles. Taking supplements (within safety limits) can benefit fibromyalgia vision.

In conclusion, while fibromyalgia itself may not damage eyesight, it can worsen many pre-existing but harmless vision conditions. Controlling fibromyalgia flare-ups and secondary symptoms provides major relief from associated visual discomfort. But do consult an ophthalmologist if vision problems start severely impacting your quality of life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.