eye problems caused by anxiety?

First of all, I'm 18 and have been helthy my whole life. For a few months now I've had visual disturbances that have really been concerning me. I've had severe anxiety issues and I worry about my health all the time. My eyes were fine until one night I thought my vision went black for a second. It happened later that night, but my parent was with me and told me the lights were flickering and that I was ok. However, I then focused on my eyes and was worried about there something being wrong with them. I began to notice floaters first, mainly one large one in my left eye, and stringy ones in both as well, though I don't always notice them. I also noticed mild redness in both eyes, then starbursts and halos around lights. However, these seemed to develop after I read about the symptoms. I also notice a kind of rainbow double of letters on a black background and on certain objects and lights that I can see when I widen or squint my eyes. Also I see little shards or fragments of light in my peripheral vision when my eyes face a bright light. I saw an Opthomologist a month or two ago, and he found nothing wrong. No glaucoma or cataracts, so I'm wondering if my mind is causing me to see all of this because I'm so focused on it. My overall vision is great, it's not deteriorating, but I'm so worried and have underlying anxiety all day and can't get my mind off of it. What's so strange is none of this happened until I really started worrying about my vision. Please help!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

With a normal eye exam by an eye MD ophthalmologist this sounds like anxiety to me and I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist. Helping anxiety and depression is a huge achievement for modern psychiatry.

JCH III MD

[Jobeykobra]

Thanks for replying. It's a relief to hear from an opthalmologist that the symptoms I'm having don't necessarily point to an eye problem, but can be caused by anxiety. I was seeing a psychiatrist and quit using my medicine in summer since I've been on it for 5 years. I'm trying to fix the anxiety and have read up on how the subconscious mind can affect what you experience. I keep worrying about having a problem and now I seem to have one. My father and I are extremely against medicine so we're trying to find another solution to the problem.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It's sad that you and your father would turn your back on one of the greatest triumphs in Medicine (treating anxiety and depression).

JCH III MD

[janedoe1969]

Wow, you sounded just like me when you said this:  but I'm so worried and have underlying anxiety all day and can't get my mind off of it. What's so strange is none of this happened until I really started worrying about my vision.  I'm going through the same thing.  I actually posted about this with my post under "dry eyes/windy feeling".  Not sure why we do that & I really do believe it aggravated the problem.  I've always said your mind really controls a lot but I just can't get a grip on my thinking.  I've felt anxious and sick all day, even though my eyes aren't real bad today.  I think it's just the "not-knowing" or "dwelling on all the negative".  Just wanted to let you know your not alone.  Take care!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[SadieSunflower]

Jobeykobra,

People with all sorts of chronic conditions, including anxiety, try to go off their medication. You are not alone in this. It is very important however, that you do so under the supervision of your doctor.

Don't think of yourself as a failure if you are unable to control your anxiety without medication. Everyone's brain and body is a little different, and many people need medication in order to function at their fullest.

I urge you to find a good and attentive psychiatrist to talk about your symptoms with. I'm sure your Dad only wants what is best for you, and I'm guessing that he suffers from anxiety too. However, just because your Dad may not choose to take medication, doesn't mean that it isn't appropriate for you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You might also visit the Anxiety Forum.

JCH III MD

[OliverLevine]

I have exactly the same symptoms as you do. I was wondering, do the starbursts get worse if you run long distances or do exerecise?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[pax80]

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