Visual Symptoms, Visual trails, eye problems

[cam94z28]

There is something wrong with my left eye, or vision in general, or possibly something neurological/brain related, but opthamologists, neuro optics, CT Scan, etc... couldnt find anything wrong several years ago.

I see visual trails after looking at something for a few seconds, and looking away, or crossing the path of something brighter than the surroundings. I see a copy of that object in my vision for 2-3 seconds, predominantly in my left eye. This eye seems very oversensitive to light. For example, if indoor light reflects off a clear piece of plastic or a CD, even if I'm not looking it, it's almost as bad sun reflected off a car mirror. I find it hard to maintain eye contact(not because of shyness), and if i look from a sunlit window to a closer object, my left eye will constict and feel like it's momentarily blinded, when the light isnt even that bright. Even in dim light this eye seems to take twice as long to refocus as my right. I also see my vision pulsate/dim with heartbeat in my left eye after doing anything strenuous. In public areas, or a big open store, my eyes react like they dont know what to look at, like everything is overwhelming as well, and I can't browse around casually. This has even happened when I've been on anti-depressants, so I'm not sure if it's anxiety. It seems to be slowly getting worse. To me it seems like something behind the eye or otherwise is causing pressure so it doesen't track with the right properly.

Also, my left ear nearly always feels full, pops, stings, pulsates, and seems to act worse when my eyes are acting up. This is not recent either and has been going on since my original eye complaints several years ago. Do I have an inner ear problem? Could this cause visual problems in one eye?

Has anyone out there had something similar and ever came to a diagnosis? I fear this is beyond the scope of anxiety, and have been wondering if it's everything from Menieres, Chiari Malformation, blood clot, you name it. I had been ok with it for several years, but either it has gotten worse recently, or recent anxiety has made it seem worse. Either way I'd like to figure out what it is.

I've recently had a full blood workup done and that came back negative for diabetes, or any other disorders a standard blood test would pick up that would cause an eye related problem. The only specialists that I did not see several years ago was a neurologist, and an ENT.

Any ideas?

[sharob71]

Hi Cam

I have saffered ffrom anxiety and panic attacks now for 11 years. I get very similar problems in my left eye....i have been told i might have eye migraine....do you sleep very well or do you get eye pain???

sleep deprivation can do nasty things with your eyesight.


Hope this helps

Sharon

[cam94z28]

I only recently started sleeping ok again because my recent return of anxiety had ruined my quality of sleep. I notice my eye complaints are even worse when I'm overtired, but theyre always there.

I dont really have eye pain. I feel my left eye muscles tense and contract in response to the above problems, but no real pain. Sometimes I get burning around my eyes though. My left ear seems to be the source of pain/stinging/discomfort.

I think I'm going to go back to an opthamologist again, and possibly see an ENT for the first time. Too bad i have no insurance.

[Pearly]

I have had twice in the past
couple of weeks, a small blood vessel
burst in my eye since my panic attacks
have become worse.

[Jabz]

funny, i have the same exact thing and the same exact eye (left) and same thing with the ear.

went to 2 eye doctors, both said my eyes are just tired from all the computer work, but thats it...

havent gone to an ear doctor, but maybe i should.

always nice to find someone with the same exact symptoms as you, especially when they post first .. :blush:

[ItWillPass]

very weird. but I have the same thing, also the left eye. I have attributed it to anxiety... b/c I notice that my eyes are often very dry, which I think is an anxiety symptom.

[mirry]

i GET THE UCULAR MIGRANES, migranes without headache, it gives visual disturbances. The ey pain I get is the little glands in the eyes have a infection in it so I have to wash it with diluted baby shampoo.
I also find the shops too bright which is called photosensitive...
its quite normal but very annoying.

[beadbabe]

Hi there
I have all manner of weird eye problems - which the doctors all refuse to believe in. But they are very real to me.

the visual trails - tick. light sensitive - tick. hard to read without feeling sick - tick. jumpy jittery vision - tick. hard to focus - tick. dry eyes - tick. feeling dizzy because of eyes - tick. looking at a computer screen - pass the sick bucket because it makes me so nauseous. And I know the overwhelming stuff in certain shops is terrible too because it brings on panic attacks.

It's a nightmare. I don't know what it is but it is horrible.

I have seen optician and wearing my glasses does not help. They don't seem to work properly together any more. doctors say it is anxiety related.

I am just going back on medication again so we will see if that helps.

[josephine]

I have very similar problems with my eyes as you do, Cam. Sometimes if i look at bright things i carry on seeing it for a while afterwards. Sort of like a negative. I explained this to my dr who looked at me as if i was mad.

I also have photosensitivity and at times find bright lights painful. Its as if things are too loud for the eyes. If that makes sense. Ther was atime i would spend day and night with sunglasses on. Even at home the lamps seemed too bright. I am a bit better now, but still get bad days. I also get blurred vision quite alot.

I too have trouble with my ears, usually at the same time as my eyes. they feel full and ihear noises. Tinnitus I suppose. I feel dizzy and lose my balance.

Im not sure if all this is anxiety, no one has ever told me it is or isnt. Infact ive given up dicussing it with my dr and have learned to live with it. I have had these eye and ear problems for approx 6 yrs. Just hope they will go oneday as quick as they arrived.

Love Josephinex

[beadbabe]

forgot to say that in addition to the eye problems I now also get ringing in my ears and a sort of feeling that they are blocked like they need to pop when you are in an aeroplane.

It is reassuring that we all have similar symptoms

[looking4answers]

Yep.. you are getting older and your eyes are more sensitive to light and are starting to fail you a little..the first time i had this I was on top of a mountain in oregon.. I had hiked almost a mile up and well.. it was getting dark which was no concern of mine and all of a sudden it was like someone took the focus out of my eyes and i had a shade pulled down..You can imagine my panic as i realised i might not make it off the mountain..

Well i took it slow and easy as there was no one else on the mountain to help me and I made it to the car.After the sun went completely down then it was ok..I get this a lot and was wondering are you at high altitude?? Even if you arent ,you can still suffer from your pupils expanding and retracting too quicky because of anxiety and nervousness and well when you go to the store you expect it to happen.I would get you a pair of lightly coated sunglasses something that will just keep your eyes at specific light.. and wear them..No one these days worries about anyone wearing sun glasess .People have become very aware of how easily thier eyes are damaged and wear sunglasses inside alot.. as for the popping in your ears could be inner ear or excess build up of wax..Get your gp to check it out and if they dont notice a problem then check with an ent ..If that doesnt solve it ask your dentist if you could possibly have tmj that is where the jaw is out of alignment and it causes the sensation you have.I have all of this and more some days it bothers me more than others and most days more but i squint and just grin and bear it but other days Its almost unbearable and riding through the mountains with the sun changing the shadows alot its kind of freaky and bothers me..But they say the combination of ears and eyes transmitting to the brain is what keeps the body in balance but try some of the things i have mentioned here and see if it helps.. M

[aakash201]

Hi there
I have all manner of weird eye problems - which the doctors all refuse to believe in. But they are very real to me.

the visual trails - tick. light sensitive - tick. hard to read without feeling sick - tick. jumpy jittery vision - tick. hard to focus - tick. dry eyes - tick. feeling dizzy because of eyes - tick. looking at a computer screen - pass the sick bucket because it makes me so nauseous. And I know the overwhelming stuff in certain shops is terrible too because it brings on panic attacks.

It's a nightmare. I don't know what it is but it is horrible.

I have seen optician and wearing my glasses does not help. They don't seem to work properly together any more. doctors say it is anxiety related.

I am just going back on medication again so we will see if that helps.

Hi There
My brother is suffering from a problem very similar to yours. Can you please tell if you have found a solution to it or not. We have tried every sort of medication.