By Beth W. Orenstein.
Many people diagnosed with chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) also experience problems with their vision. Doctors
believe that these vision-related chronic fatigue symptoms stem from
brain dysfunction more than eye dysfunction. The signals that the
brain sends to the eyes to let you know where you are and what you’re
seeing may not be functioning properly when you have chronic fatigue
syndrome.
Vision Problems and Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome: It’s All a Blur
Most often, patients report having periods
where everything appears blurry or seems foggy. “This will happen
most commonly when they stand up and get lightheaded,” says Peter
Rowe, MD, director of the Chronic Fatigue Clinic at Johns Hopkins
Children’s Center in Baltimore.
Other vision problems that chronic fatigue
syndrome patients report include:
- Difficulty or slowness in focusing on objects, usually those that are close up
- Not being able to see objects in side or peripheral vision — some say they feel as though they have tunnel vision
- Feeling dizzy and not being able to tolerate looking at moving objects
- Seeing floaters and flashes of light
- Being intolerant to light — “They find it uncomfortable to be in brightly lit rooms and outdoors in the bright sunshine,” Dr. Rowe says.
- Feeling as though eyes are dry or that they burn, itch, or feel gritty
The Effects of Vision Problems on
Activities
Chronic fatigue syndrome patients usually
find that their vision problems worsen toward the evening as they get
more tired, Rowe says. As a result, people with chronic fatigue
syndrome often find they have difficulty concentrating, particularly
when reading.
Vision problems and the related discomfort
also can make it hard for CFS patients to finish everyday tasks. You
may have difficulty judging distances, which makes driving a problem.
Also, headaches and dizziness may make it difficult to stand to cook
or clean.
Getting the Right Eye Care When
You Have Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome patients will
often visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist when they experience
vision problems. “But usually the eye exam of someone with chronic
fatigue syndrome is normal,” Rowe says. Prescription lenses may not
help because vision changes rapidly. If you do wear glasses, tints
may reduce sensitivity to light.
Because blurred or foggy vision is the
most common problem, the solution is to improve the blood flow to the
brain, Rowe says. “Visual blurring tends to be a temporary symptom
and more related to lightheadedness and brain blood flow.” You may
need to see a cardiologist or a neurologist to treat dizziness or
lightheadedness.
Certainly, if you have chronic fatigue
syndrome and find that you can’t tolerate bright lighting, you
should wear good sunglasses when you’re outdoors, Rowe says.
Medications Can Help Vision
Problems
Dry or irritated eyes can be treated with
drops that lubricate the eyes; they may provide temporary relief.
Warm compresses may also help, as will drinking fluids. Some chronic
fatigue syndrome patients experience the opposite problem: watery
eyes often caused by allergies; in this case, you may find it helpful
to take over-the-counter antihistamines.
If you experience floaters, see an eye
care professional immediately to be sure the cause is not a retinal
tear. In patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, the floaters you see
are generally harmless and do not require treatment. Over-the-counter
pain medications or prescription drugs may help with headaches
brought on by fatigue or dizziness.
Patients are likely to find that their
chronic fatigue symptoms, including vision problems, worsen the more
fatigued they are. You should talk to your doctor about the best way
to treat the CFS symptoms that you find the most disruptive and
disabling.