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Light sensitivity, headaches & blurred vision

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jack11045
jack11045

So for a month or two now (kinda lost track of how long) I have been suffering from quite bad sensitivity to light, especially at supermarkets/bright days/using computers. I have always had pretty sensitive eyes but now they seem to be worse. I sometimes use eye drops which seem to help with this.

My vision is also ever so slightly blurry at all times, not sure how long this has been going on for.

I seem to be getting headaches most days as well, especially when I am using computers/doing work or what not.

I have been to the eye doctor and he prescribed me a slight astigmatism, slightly higher in my right eye than my left. I am now wearing glasses to work/drive/read/etc but I am still having the same symptoms. Should I expect my glasses to be improving my symptoms if I was prescribed astigmatism? Does this mean the glasses could be wrong or it's an underlying issue causing the symptoms?

I have also been to my GP a few times about my headaches now and they say it's nothing to worry about after checking my eyes and whatnot. Should I be pushing for more tests, if yes which? Or do you think it's nothing to worry about..

Obviously this is worrying me now somewhat, any info/help/advice on what to do would be great. Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop jack11045

    Posted

    Hi Jack, has anyone mentioned dry eyes?  That would cause the symptoms that you mention.  For dry eyes, you would need an ocular lubricant - ie lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears.  You can buy them over the counter.  I am prescribed Hyabak, which are preservative free but a Pharmacist would be able to advise you.

    When you stare at a computer screen, you forget to blink, thus causing dry eyes.  Air con also causes them if you work in an air con office.

     

    • jack11045
      jack11045 mrsmop

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I have been using some eye drops called celluvise (0.5%) which do seem to help, but after a while my symptoms will just come back.

      I am conciously blinking as much as I can as I was told this would help.

      Do you think this could just be dry eyes then?

       

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop jack11045

      Posted

      Celluvisc is an ocular lubricant, which would suggest that it is dry eyes.

      They do make your eyes blurred and also can cause headaches and photophobia.  My Ophthalmologist also prescribes me an eye gel to use at night.  It is like squirting vaseline in your eyes but it does last a long time.

      I used to use Lacrilube but recently, they changed me to VitA-POS.  The Vit A in it helps with dry eyes.

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop

      Posted

      You get the same effect driving and as I mentioned, air conditioning dries your eyes too.  I try to avoid the air con in my car as much as possible.

       

    • jack11045
      jack11045 mrsmop

      Posted

      Do your eyes have to feel dry to have dry eye syndrome? I feel like that's not the issue with me as my blurred vision is all the time and my eyes don't always feel dry when I have the photosensitivity / headaches. It's usually when I'm reading on the computer or driving and the headaches are usually very short and mild.

      What do you think?

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop jack11045

      Posted

      Have you read this leaflet, it has a section on astigmatism?

      https://patient.info/health/astigmatism

      It explains it very well.

      When you say you have been to an eye doctor, was this at the eye clinic at your local hospital?  If so, then did he give you a follow up appointment?  It sounds as though you would benefit from seeing him again.

       

    • jack11045
      jack11045 mrsmop

      Posted

      Ah I meant optician when I said eye doctor.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop jack11045

      Posted

      Opticians aren't medically qualified.  Perhaps you should ask your GP to refer you to the eye clinic, where you will be seen by an Ophthalmologist - a doctor in a hospital, who specialises in eyes.

      The optician can also refer you

       

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