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Posted 8/25/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)

New to this forum, but seems to be moderated by a caring group of people.

Have been dealing with vision issues (blurring, trouble focusing, foggy, spacey) for the past 3 months. Mostly resolved for approx. 2 weeks right before my wedding on July 7th but returned on our Honeymoon.

Needless to say, lots of stress in my life over the past year. Been working with a therapist who helped me take an anxiety assessment. High scores being 300-400 points. I scored 1280 points! YIKES!

Past year was my final/clinical year of vet school. I caught a virus last Aug (2011) and had hearing loss in inner ear. It resolved THANKFULLY, but really scared me for 2 months. Since then, I just haven't been myself. Losing hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. Weight loss and gain fluctuations. Past 3 months have included knee surgery, 12 week recovery, bad reaction to opioids (oxycodone), graduation, wedding, honeymoon, job hunt, and now starting work as a doctor.

MY QUESTION: Are my vision issues really ALL related to stress and anxiety?  Why does it seem to be resolving one day and then out of the blue become so severe the next?

I'm panicked I'm going to lose my vision. Nothing seems to help. I've been to an optometrist (Rx for contacts is fine) and ophthalmologist (no disease in eyes). Monday I'm supposed to go to a neuro-ophthalmologist.

I'm panicked. Can anyone advise, commiserate?

Thank you!

Posted 8/25/2012 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!

You have certainly had a lot of changes going on in your life in a relatively short period of time. Change, even if positive, can certainly be a catalyst for stress and anxiety!

Add to that some illnesses and physical issues that included surgery...you have had a fair share of triggers for anxiety and its symptoms.

As long as you have been checked out by your doctor (not to mention eye specialists) and all has looked healthy...you can probably assume that this is caused by stress.

Our bodies are very sensitive and more connected to the mind, than we like to think. It really should come as no suprise when we feel these physical symptoms...but it always does!

I have read many accounts of vision trouble as a result of anxiety, and here is a good on that I copied here for you:

Chronic stress (because of ongoing anxiety) leads to an over production of adrenaline. This has several potentially nasty effects on the body but of importance to us is the fact that it can increase intraocular pressure. And although the elevation of intraocular pressure may not be significant it can cause blurry vision.

I hope that things improve for you soon. I am really glad to hear that you are seeing a therapist! That is fantastic, and I know that you will benefit from it.

We also have a great Resource Guide here (main page, 1st post) that has some self-help ideas that you might find helpful.

Keep posting with us here anytime! We are glad that you have joined us, and look forward to getting to know you better. We are here to understand, care and support.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Posted 8/25/2012 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat.
I'm a veterinarian and somewhat well versed in medicine, but the human world has many dimesions we don't study in the animal world. Psychiatry namely. I'm very impressed with this forum and you as a moderator.

I appreciate your well thought reply.
Thank you, thank you!
Posted 8/25/2012 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks right back!:) Yeah, wouldn't be nice if we could take it all in stride like our animal friends...I often look at my two cats with thinly veiled jealousy as they lie on my bed all morning...not an ounce of anxiety or worry;p Lucky beasts!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend, and keep posting.:)

S.C.
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