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Eye damage? Seeing my nose in vision?

Over these past few weeks, I've started seeing my nose in the right side of my vision, it just came on all of a sudden, and it's causing me anxiety. I can also see the bridges of my nose when I look left and right.
I went to see on optometrist and opthamologist, I've had my eyes checked, all the tests and my eyes are 100% healthy.
I know it's not caused by anxiety since there have been days I've been really happy but I still notice it is there.
I'm only a 17 year old girl, and it's really distracting me and getting me down - I'm worried it's gonna give me more problems in the future such as stopping me learning to drive.
I've had a bad bout of labrynthitis these past few weeks, which has caused sickness and vertigo, it has been very distressing. The eye doctor I saw said it is not linked to this.
I'm just worried that the signals in my brains are messed up, or it could be nerve damage, all the doctors are doing is pinning this down on anxiety.
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem
What I've noticed is that when I have a bout of anxiety or depression, it gets worse

I don't know, but I think that the cause of this problem is watching porn. It may have damaged a nerve in my brain, responsible for ignoring the nose.
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
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What do you think ?
Not enough substance in your post to allow helpful comment.
So what is your question?
Is there something you didn't understand?
Avatar universal
Sorry I don’t have an answer for you but Im experiencing the same thing and have done for about 3 years now I’m only 19, it’s caused me severe anxiety for the last 3 years but I don’t have a clue on how to get treatment I went to the doctors and they just looked at me asif I was crazy and said it was nothing to worry about, this was about 2 years ago I haven’t brought it up to anyone since, just been living with it as wel as I can
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Avatar universal
I have been experiencing this problem for about 11 or 12 years and the whole time I  have thought I was the only person in the world with this stupid problem! I have OCD and focusing on my own nose in my vision is just one thing my OCD forces me to focus on. But this one is the worst at all, no doubt about it. If it can be cured? Not at all, I do not believe it, it just can be pushed back by antidepressants but that's not a permanent solution. I take some medicine (Sertraline) and it helps me for a longer or shorter period of time (depends on many things). I hadnt had such strong symptoms for several months but now it hit me absolutely unprepared and that's why I started to look for some solutions on the Internet and found this website.

I have astigmytic eyes so I am beginning to wonder if that may be the cause of the problem. Maybe the eyes "catch" light/reflection of my nose in a different way compared to healthy/normal eyes and thus the nose is always visible no matter what I am doing.
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Astigmatism has no role in the problem. You need look no further than OCD.
Avatar universal
hello I read your story. since 8 months I also see my nose on my visual field. your problem has disappeared?
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Avatar universal
I had this problem since I was 25, today I'm 36 and still have this condition.  I learned how to deal with it for 11 years now.  I tried Lexapro but didn't help.  Lexapro only made me happy and didn't solve my nose vision issue.   I wear very light persecution lenses which helped a little as the frames on the lenses take the distraction away from my nose.  However, my lenses must be strictly clear bottom lenses to help with any distractions as other full-frame lenses make my distraction and condition worst.   The worst case for me is that my nose in my vision has given me slight motor tics/Tourette’s which has been very frustrating for 11 years now, however, I learn to manage better.  I never had this condition my entire life until I turned 25 for some reason which unfortunately may be a lifelong condition.  On the bright side, I didn't let my condition put me down in life, on the contrary, it's giving me more hope in life more than I could have ever imagined.
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Thanks for your comments.
Avatar universal
I have the same problem, all my life I've been bullied because of my nose (apparently it's too big) and for about a year I've seen my nose. Thing is, I only see it when im thinking about it or someone points out anything about my nose.
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
Why don't you see a ENT surgeon and discuss your concerns with him.
him/her.
Hi all. I am wondering if it's normal to see a bright and sudden sort of flash in the centre of vision when moving your eyes from right to left or vice versa at a rather high speed. I've been noticing this when looking at bright backgrounds. Especially when not focussing on something on that background, more like a stare. I'm figuring it's my nose that's 'confusing' the brain and eyes. The flash is where the bridge of the nose is, and disappears almost instantly...Thanks in advance for a reply!
Of course I would have to start by saying you should start by seen an Eye MD ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam. That being said you likely are seeing an entoptic phenomena.  Read section in wikidedia.com on same
Avatar universal
Have you considered the possibility of damage starting from b12 deficiency?

I learned I'd had it five years before the problems started to get bad. Turns out I'd been low (tests on file but missed proved it) for at least five years. I too see my nose. It makes things seem like false 3D unless I squash my nose then it goes. It's more obvious when I'm doing things like reading my phone. My first issues are finding it difficult to find glasses that didn't keep distracting my because I couldn't ignore the rim or frames. I too have had convergence and prisms in my lenses for a long time but didn't get the nose thing until recently along with light aversion and a host of other b12 symptoms. Hence the testing for it.

It's maybe nerve damage or quite possibly is anxiety related however b12 deficiency is also known to ramp up anxiety so who knows.

Certainly worth checking but remember supplimenting before testing will give false high/normal blood levels when you could be low.

You need around three months off b12 supplements to be able to use a blood test to get a good picture.
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3 Comments
B12 deficiency which is very rare causes pernicious anemia. B12 shots and supplement is a profitable market for mostly placebo effects.
Are you sure you got that MD at a reputable establishment?

B12d is a very serous issue and if left untreated causes lasting neurological damage.
B12 deficiency which is very rare causes pernicious anemia. B12 shots and supplement is a profitable market for mostly placebo effects.
Avatar universal
Hi all. I have recently experienced this every couple years for weeks at a time (seeing your nose) and I work in the mental health field. I'm very aware of OCD and anxiety. I am just wondering if anyone had success with stopping seeing there nose, it's effecting my job performance and my daily life. It's hard to change your thoughts when the muscle in your eye is so overworked. Advice would be appreciated. Thank you
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4 Comments
If you have the problem this bad you need to be under the care of a psychiatrist to deal with your anxiety and OCD.     Cognitive behavior therapy would be helpful in dealing with phobias and obsessions.
Hi! I had the nose problem for around a month where it was really bad. One night I saw it and I became so aware that I started getting panic attacks about it. I just felt so hopeless... like life was over and that no one could help me. So for a few weeks I went to go live with my mom and I told her about everything that was happening and after she just listened and reassured me that it would be okay, after a few weeks it was almost completely gone. Looking back at it,it was definitely anxiety but if you just talk to someone, maybe get therapy, and know that it is NORMAL and it will go away, eventually you will grow unaware of it.
Hi! I had the nose problem for around a month where it was really bad. One night I saw it and I became so aware that I started getting panic attacks about it. I just felt so hopeless... like life was over and that no one could help me. So for a few weeks I went to go live with my mom and I told her about everything that was happening and after she just listened and reassured me that it would be okay, after a few weeks it was almost completely gone. Looking back at it,it was definitely anxiety but if you just talk to someone, maybe get therapy, and know that it is NORMAL and it will go away, eventually you will grow unaware of it.
Yes anxiety and depression can cause virtually any symptom and account for a huge % of the patients physicians see.
Avatar universal
I do CBT now.... did not take meds yet but I will try if it is not getting better.
My nose thing was almost gone but than I got a cold and felt sick and suddenly it was back again. I think i was not aware of it for a couple of weeks.... had other OCD symptoms though but this one was almost gone.
Right now it is back, but I guess when I feel better again it will be less noticeable.
You must not panic and just do what you normally do....no compulsions. I started to wear glasses with normal glass so I was not looking at my nose, but that is a compulsion you should face your fear so your brain gets bored and does not think your nose is a thread anymore. Same goes for other sensorymotor obsessions
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3 Comments
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Hello , I am from Poland, I have found your posts . I have problem with tinnitus since 2 years. Since 3 weeks I have seen shadow of my nose. It is very nervous and disturbing me. I did test by eye doctor and he told me that is ok with my eye, so it is not problem with my eye. I can not found answer on polish forums, only stupid response, so i am asking im am crazy? Do you still have vision your nose ? Any suggest?
The tinnitus is not an eye problem and should be evaluated by a Ears/Nose/Throat physician or one that does only hearing Otologist. You need your hearing tested and a cause found.  I have tinnutus in both ears for ovr 30 years. Mine is due to noise exposure from hunting/shooting without hearing protection as a youth. In adults with sudden onset it is important to rule out a rare tumber of the hearing nerve called an acoustic neuroma.  See an Eye MD not a non-physician audiologist for tinnitus. The audiologist will do the hearting test. For the shadow of your nose it is very important to dilate the eyes, see an Eye MD called ophthalmologist and be certain you do not have a retinal detachment or a blockage of one of the arteries or veins in the retina.  If you saw a non-physician optometrist, he/she does not have the training needed. If you saw a Eye MD then get a second opinion. You also need a test called a Visual Fields or Peripheral Vision test  to see if the "nose' is really a peripheral vision defect.  Very important to follow through as could be serious.
Avatar universal
Hi...myself sofia..i m suffering from same problem since 2007...i wana ventilate my feelings with you....so as to reduce my anxiety.
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2 Comments
Did you overcome this problem??
Consider a new post. This discussion is several years old.
Avatar universal
Hi I was wondering if my question could be answered here as well. I just recently had my eyes checked and they said that my eyes were healthy. So I know it's not my eyes. About three days ago I had a panic attack and after it subsided and I went to bed the next day I begin noticing my nose and now three days after I am still seeing it. I have ocd but have not been on medication for it for about a month now. I was wondering if you think it would help to get back on some medication for it. It has been extremely depressing over these last few days thinking I will be seeing my nose like this for the rest of my life. I am only 23.
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1 Comments
Your nose didn't just start growing. These are classic OCD and anxiety/panic symptoms. You need to see a psychiatrist and get on medication for same. Many OCD people suddenly start hearing their heart beat, "feeling their joints". Get treatment started ASAP.  A combination of medication, talk psychotherapy and cognitive behavior techniques works great for most people with these problems.
177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
If you managed to get some professional advise from a specialist please share with us what they told you, if this is anxiety driven why is this affecting our nose??

Really strange visual disturbance and apparently common
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Avatar universal
Hi Rico

I noticed your posts after I posted above about seeing the side images of my nose one day, I know mine is most probably caused by anxiety since my eyes did test normal, this seems to be a trend with lots of ppl and when I ask others if they can see the side shadows of the nose they all say they do but just ignore the image, I believe this is a normal image to see since your nose is close to your face its just different for us posting since we are obsessing about this when others simply ignore the images!!
You mentioned ringing in your ears as well, I have the same condition so there is a common thread with others sharing similar OCD anxiety driven symptoms like us, and vertigo is another one!!
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177275 tn?1511755244
Yes much health, happiness and peace and acceptance within yourself in 2016
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Avatar universal
I will thank you again. I bought the second edition of the book and it will be here tuesday. I took me 2.5 years to get over tinnitus. So I give everything time. Like they say ...it is all about your reaction to it. But sometimes these symptoms can be so scary that you forget that.
Also if your body decides to give you a panickattack because of it you need to know what a panickattack is and that it cannot hurt you...and than still it is hard to deal with the new symptom you never felt before....at the end we are only human and not computers ;-) So we cannot always react the same on things, but I will do my best with this "Seeing the nose in vision" thing.

My OCD made me search the internet regarding this for more than 2 weeks so I knew more people have it and dealt with it. But the best of course is to leave the internet for what it is otherwise you stay focused on it.

I am really happy there are specialist like yourself who are on these boards to help others.....it is a great help for me!!!!!

Best regards
Rico
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177275 tn?1511755244
I have tinninuts in both eyes due to unprotected noise exposure growing up.  So I know of what you speak.  That's also the way it is with OCD and anxiety. When when focus is resolved another seems to come along.  Be sure you have professionals in ophthalmology, otolaryngology and psychology/psychiatry you trust.  Hoping for a great 2016 for you. JCH MD
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2 Comments
You have tinnitus in eyes. Haha, Funny!
yes that is funny. I must have been seriously distracted or multi-tasking.
Avatar universal
I just ordered it thank you! The reason why i did not use meds in the first place is because most of the AD's are oxotoxic. I already have bad tinnitus and I worry it becomes worse when taking Lexapro. So that is why i tried to deal with it by using also CBT but that was mainly focused on my tinnitus not the OCD. The tinnitus I can deal with now and the volume is still the same but my perception of it is way less so I almost do not hear it anymore.

The moment I was used to my tinnitus...the OCD became worse....like my brain said we bugged you with tinnitus and you got over it so we give you another OCD thing "Seeing your nose in vision" to keep you busy.

If I did not know better I would panick and see 100 of doctors...I know for a fact it is anxiety but I went to the ophthalmologist just to rule things out so i can get on with living. My nose has been there for 43 years and suddenly I became aware of it....so it can also go away again. But the more I worry the worse it gets....been through it with tinnitus already ;-)

Thank you very much for your quick reply and like I said I ordered the book right away. I had some books from Julian Cowan Hill but they were based on Tinnitus.

Best Regareds
Rico
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177275 tn?1511755244
OCD can be helped both by medication and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) which I have found extremely helpful for many of my patients and use myself. Ask your psychiatrist about it.  CBT also lends itself to home study and "book therapy" (bibliotherapy)   Check out MIND OVER MOOD  a very helpful workbook by Dennis Greenberger PhD and Christine A. Padesky, PhD.  Best of luck

JCH MD
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1 Comments
I'm ana Third year Engineering student, i keep on seeing the sarrounding when i'm trying to focus, this gives me a large amount of stress, it's like my mind is disturbed, i really need help, sometimes i feel like killing myself
Avatar universal
I have see an ophthalmologist and there was nothing wrong with my eyes so I have an appointment with a psychiatrist because I also think it is another OCD thing that came up which my brain will not let go of.
The wanted to put me on Lexapro a year ago for the OCD, but I did not want to take any meds, but this has gone on for a year now changing everytime and this "Seeing nose in vision" is very disturbing to say the least.

I do not panick over it anymore, but my vision is very disturbed and it annoys me very much. I do not wear glasses, but when I put glasses on with normal glass I do not have the symptoms that much because the glasses block my nose. But if I do that than it is a compulsion and I will stay in flight or fight mode never letting my brain dealing with it again.

So in my understanding I should do ERP (Expose Response Prevention) together with medication......this OCD has been going on far to long now.

Thank you for your advice to see a psychiatrist !
Regards
Rico
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177275 tn?1511755244
Anxiety and OCD are often helped by medication, cognitive behavior therapy and treatment by a psychiatrist. With that degree of incapacitation I strongly suggest you discuss with a psychiatrist

JCH MD
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2 Comments
How to get those medications?
You have to be under the care of a MD psychiatrist.
Avatar universal
I hope it will subside soon though and I will stop wasting my time on it  because it will make matters worse
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Avatar universal
@JohnHaganMD
Thank you for your response on this. I have it since dec 5 2015 ...We just got home from doing shopping and my , wife and son made jokes about our noses and ...there it was I could see my nose....I am very OCD ...had the blinking, breathing , tongue to big for mouth , swallowing etc and now I am 100% focused on this. I had 2 panick attacks yesterday because of this, but now it all settled down and I realize it is the OCD and anxiety that keep me focus on it. I had a depression in the beginning of 2015 and than the sensorimotor OCD also started. The nose thing hit me so hard because I did not think it was anxiety, but now I understand it is. My anxiety level is very since beginning of the year so  that explains a lot.
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1 Comments
hello I read your story. since 8 months I also see my nose on my visual field. your problem has disappeared?
177275 tn?1511755244
Okay those are by far the most important tests. The symptoms now are driven by anxiety and compulsion so you should move on and enjoy life.  If this is typical of other things in your life (anxiety) and its not getting better in the coming weeks you may want to discuss with your parents and physician about directing your efforts to working on the anxiety level. It is common for anxious people to seize on something like this and "floaters" is another extremely common anxiety producing eye symptom.

JCH MD
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3 Comments
i also have the same problem with seeing my nose i tryed you methed and it dident work
be sure you  have seen an Eye MD ophthalmologist to be sure you eye exam is normal. If your obsession continues consider seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.
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