Concerns About Changes in My Vision
Hello everyone, I wanted to share some recent changes in my eyesight that have been troubling me. Lately, I've been experiencing a sensation of pressure in the upper part of my eyes, reminiscent of a migraine, and it feels as though I'm wearing someone else's glasses, leading to difficulty in focusing. Additionally, when I concentrate on an object, I notice dark spots in my peripheral vision, and occasionally I can see my heartbeat while fixating on something. Just yesterday, I visited an eye specialist, who assured me that there was no external pressure on my eyes and found no signs of retinal damage. As a contact lens wearer, we have decided to slightly reduce my prescription to determine whether my current lenses may be too strong, causing eye fatigue. Last year, I received a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism; however, my optometrist dismissed the possibility of thyroid eye disease since my eyes haven’t protruded. I have also been dealing with high blood pressure, which without medication was around 155/95, but with losartan and metoprolol, it has improved to the 120s/low-80s range. Currently, my medication regimen includes 20mg of methimazole daily, 50mg of losartan in the morning, and 50mg of metoprolol at night. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues and might offer advice on which specialists I should consult or tests that I should undergo. I can’t shake the feeling that maybe I’ve grown accustomed to my vision changes due to prolonged high blood pressure, and now that it’s been lowered, my eyesight feels different, which is confusing. However, the heartbeat synchronization and dark spots in my vision don’t seem typical to me. For context, I’m a 31-year-old male, and aside from needing corrective lenses for nearsightedness, I have no prior eye problems. Thank you for any insights you can provide.
Answers (1)
3/26/2025, 7:20:39 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about the changes in your vision and associated symptoms. The feelings of pressure, difficulty focusing, dark spots, and visual disturbances like seeing your heartbeat can be concerning but may have several causes. Your recent visit to the eye specialist and the adjustments made to your contact lens prescription are positive steps in managing your situation.
Explanation
Your symptoms, including the sensations of pressure and dark spots in your peripheral vision, can sometimes be related to factors like eye strain, prolonged use of contact lenses, changes in blood pressure, or even underlying conditions. Given your history of hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure, it's essential to monitor how these medical conditions may impact your vision.
Since your recent eye exam didn't indicate any damage or concerns from an eye health perspective, it's wise to follow the recommended adjustments to your prescription. However, the symptoms you described should not be ignored if they persist or worsen.
Next Steps
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a journal detailing the frequency and intensity of your symptoms, noting any patterns with your activities. This can help in discussing your condition with healthcare professionals.
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Adjust Contact Lens Use: Follow your eye specialist's recommendation to reduce your current prescription, and observe whether this decreases the pressure and visual disturbances.
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Manage Blood Pressure: Continue to monitor your blood pressure, ensuring it stays within target ranges. Discuss any concerns about medication side effects or adjustments with your healthcare provider.
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Consult a Specialist: If symptoms persist despite lens adjustments, consider seeing a neurologist or a specialist in eye conditions related to systemic health issues, such as an ophthalmologist with expertise in neuro-ophthalmology. They can evaluate for conditions like migraine-associated visual disturbances and other potential neurological impacts on vision.
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Lifestyle Changes: Ensure you maintain good eye hygiene and take regular breaks from visual tasks, especially if you're using screens frequently. Additionally, ensure you're staying hydrated and consuming a balanced diet that supports overall eye health.
If you experience any new or worsening symptoms, such as changes in your ability to see, severe headaches, or sudden loss of vision, seek immediate attention. You're advocating for your health proactively, which is commendable!
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