Fibromyalgia Effects on Vision and Eye Health

Understanding the Link Between Fibromyalgia and Vision Problems

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep issues and cognitive difficulties. Recent research reveals that fibromyalgia can also impact vision in various ways.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia involves centralized pain signaling problems that heighten nerve responses and cause musculoskeletal tenderness and aching. Other hallmark fibromyalgia symptoms include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Widespread stiffness
• Memory and concentration problems dubbed “fibro fog”
• Mood disorders like anxiety and depression
• Headaches and migraines
• Tingling or numbness in limbs
• Insomnia and non-restorative sleep
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

While not fully understood, researchers believe it stems from nervous system irregularities amplifying pain signaling combined with things like chronic stress, infections, hormones, genetics and trauma.

Vision Disruption in Fibromyalgia

Many patients report diverse eye problems like blurred vision, burning or stinging eyes, light sensitivity and difficulty focusing while reading. Let’s explore possible reasons linking fibromyalgia with vision impairment.

Dry Eye Syndrome

One of the most common explanations involves a condition dubbed dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Estimates suggest over 70% of fibromyalgia patients develop KCS compared to just 5% of the general populace.

KCS arises when inadequate tear film moisture causes irritation and inflammation of the eye surface. This manifests in gritty, sensitive, stinging eyes along with blurry vision, excess debris and difficulty wearing contacts.

Causes of Dry Eyes in Fibromyalgia

Experts theorize that fibromyalgia-associated dry eye occurs due to:

• Chronic widespread inflammation
• Decreased tear production stemming from blocked lacrimal and meibomian glands
• Dysregulation of nerves controlling tear secretion
• Side effects of certain fibromyalgia medications

Furthermore, elements like aging, gender, environment, inflammation elsewhere and connective tissue changes may increase susceptibility.

Managing KCS with Treatment Options Like:

• Over-the-counter artificial tear drops and gels
• Prescription anti-inflammatory eye medications
• Omega-3 supplements to reduce inflammation
• Warm compresses for blocked meibomian glands
• Humidifiers to hydrate eyes
• Healthy blink techniques to spread tears

Ongoing eye care helps provide relief by restoring moisture balance and reducing inflammation.

Changes in Visual Processing

Beyond dryness, some research indicates that fibromyalgia alters visual information processing pathways between the eyes and brain. This manifests as increased sensitivity to light, colors and patterns.

Contributing Factors May Include:

• Central nervous system hypersensitivity
• Brain chemical imbalances
• Inflammation affecting ocular nerves
• Disruption of autonomic signals to eyemuscles

Such changes can translate into impaired depth perception, double vision, difficulty tracking moving objects, discerning colors and changes in color perception like seeing tints of red or green.

Adaptations like:

• Wearing sunglasses outdoors
• Using measured lighting levels
• Trying specialized tinted lenses
• Vision therapy

May help patients handle visual overstimulation from fibromyalgia better.

Side Effects of Fibromyalgia Medications

Moreover, certain prescription drugs used for fibro symptoms can generate ocular side effects resembling visual processing problems.

For example:

• Tricyclic antidepressants may cause blurred vision.
• Gabapentin can lead to double vision.
• Topiramate may create vision difficulties.

Doctors monitor vision changes during treatment. Adjusting medications often controls such reactions, especially if subtle symptoms emerge.

Associated Eye Conditions

People with fibromyalgia frequently develop secondary eye problems that compound vision complaints as well.

Common Comorbid Eye Diseases Include:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Eye migraines and ocular rosacea

Since these conditions cause similar symptoms, comprehensive eye exams are critical for identifying root causes and guiding suitable management.

The Promise of Fibromyalgia Green Light Glasses

Exciting recent research explores using special green light-filtering glasses to potentially ease fibromyalgia eye problems and associated headaches.

Background on Green Light Effects

Green wavelengths aid eye focusing, night vision and color perception. Green also has therapeutic effects like lowering migraine frequency and relieving anxiety.

Fibromyalgia patients appear particularly sensitive to green’s impacts. Wearing green shades for just 30 minutes increased pressure pain thresholds and reduced light sensitivity versus clear lenses in one experiment.

How Do Green Glasses Help Fibromyalgia Patients?

Experts theorize green lenses may:

• Filter excess glare, colors and patterns
• Relax muscles controlling eye focus
• Lower influx of visual signals to the brain
• Boost calming neurotransmitters like serotonin

Thereby easing eyestrain, headaches, brain fog and discomfort from visual overstimulation in fibromyalgia.

Study on Fibromyalgia Green Glasses Effects

A 2019 study had fibromyalgia patients use green-tinted or clear glasses for 6 hours daily over 2 weeks. The green lens group reported significantly decreased anxiety alongside reduced light sensitivity versus the clear lens cohort. They also used fewer opioids for pain management.

While more research is needed, these early findings indicate customized green light glasses may offer a promising option for better regulating fibromyalgia symptoms rooted in visual pathways.

The Bottom Line

In summary, experts recognize a clear link between fibromyalgia and various forms of visual impairment. Contributing factors range from dry eyes and altered visual processing to medication side effects and associated eye diseases.

Pursuing comprehensive eye care, making suitable lifestyle adaptations and exploring newer treatments like tinted lenses enables patients to maximize comfort and function despite fibromyalgia’s effects on vision.

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.