Can a pinched nerve cause vision problems in one eye

Question

I did a search to find out if a pinched nerve or neck problem could cause vision problems in one eye, and I became hopeful to find that this very question was asked here. I am active military and not too long ago I went to the eye doctor because I thought I needed to update my contacts because I couldn't see very well out of my left eye. Well to find out it wasn't the contacts it was actually my vision. Within a week my vision in my left eye became so bad I couldn't even read words on a computer screen or written on paper. The eye doctor took many topo's and her response was that they were very colorful. She thought I was having an onset of Keratoconus. I was on orders to go to another base and for about a month I didn't have to do any physical activity and my vision cleared up, however I started having pain in my left temple area and pressure in my left eye. I went to an opthamologist a few times and they concluded that my eyes and nerves are completely heathy. I started back physical training and my vision in my left eye seems to get real bad after I run and when I wear my cevlar for long periods. I have had an MRI of my head and everything was fine. Some other symptoms are that I always see these cloudy black floaties in my left vision. One day I had to go out to the shooting range and when I was laying in the prone position, with my neck cocked to see out of my m16 site with cevlar on, I couldn't zero my weapon because I couldn't see to keep my same site picture (my right eye is a bit affected as well but I never had the problems as my left eye). Also my left eye is my scanning eye when I shoot and when I was trying to shoot my targets my left vision had these bright glowing stationary circles (kind of like the floaties but they weren't clustered and they didn't move, and they were really bright, kind of like sparks). When I had to get into the kneeling position (where my neck wasn't cocked) the bright circles went away. The only thing that seems to be consistent with the eye doctors is that the axis of my left eye keeps changing. Every time I went to the eye doctor (and there for a while it was every few days), the axis of my left eye would be different every time. I did read the reply to the original question about a pinch nerve causing vision problems, and there was no real correlation. I haven't had any head trauma, but I have had a lot of physical enduances (such as 20k ruck marches with 40lb rucks, and I'm only 5'/122lb). I was also sent to see a Neurologist and he put me on Topomax and refered me to a Chiropractor. The Topomax helped (except for the black cloudy floaties, they never went away and even though I could see I felt like my eyes weren't focusing together and it gave me a dizzy feeling), but I had to discontinue taking it because it caused me stomach problems. I have not yet started the Chiropractic care. I am at a loss about what has been going on and am wondering if there really is something with me neck that could be causing the vision problems?

This discussion is related to Can a pinched nerve cause pressure and vision problems in one eye?.

This discussion is related to Can a pinched nerve cause pressure and vision problems in one eye?.

Free_world · Answer

Cervical instability can cause intermittent vision loss, though it’s not super common. I have had the problem of occasional vision loss in my right eye for about 10 years now. I lose vision completely in my right eye for about 5-15 seconds. Recently I have been experiencing numbness on the right side of my face and scalp. The ER doc (who happened to be a chiropractor too) told me about cervical instability. I haven’t received a second opinion about this whole notion yet, but cervical instability matches my symptoms. It can effect the blood flow which can result in a retinal vasospasm.  Cervical instability can also effect nerves, which explains my sporadic face/scalp numbness. Cervical instability is pretty difficult to diagnose and doctors rarely look there. When they DO look their they only use static imaging which isn’t going to show anything unless you are completely messed up and unaligned. It pinches things during certain motions so it will not always show on imaging. If you have had a neck injury or are a chronic neck adjuster, it might be the cause of your problems.

Emsey1982 · Answer

I was wondering the same kind of things was told had pinched nerve had neck pain head pain then started to have druppy lip numb twitching cheek eye now had left eye watering all day now when closing eyes feels like left eye won't close no strength in it bit worried

DeniseAS · Answer

I have been told a pinched nerve in your neck can affect your vision, as well as your ears and sinuses.  It's usually around the C1-C3 area.  If I turn my head, I feel and hear a click on the left side of my neck that goes up to the base of my skull and up that affects my left eye.  I can actually feel it go up into my eye.  It causes vision changes, pain and changes in feelings of my eye.

JohnHaganMD · Answer

Blade and Hockey:   None of the nerves connected with vision, eye movement or sight goes down to the cervical level. The sole exception is a loop of nerves that have to do with pupil dilation. In come cases of neck surgery around the carotids afterwards the pupil might be generally smaller (sometimes larger) on the side with the neck surgery.

blademaker · Answer

K  on Feb. 29.2015 I noticed my left going red by Mar.1st it was completely blood shot and I had pain going deep towards my temple and neck. Well on Mar. 2nd I had neck surgery. Level1 fusion c3 c4 . I told the doc. Before surgery that I had know Idea what was wrong with my eye, but I plan on going to an eye doc. While I am down from the surgery.
 Well after surgery I looked in the mirror and my eye was crystal clear. No blood shot eye. It stayed clear until March 13,2015 but I noticed before it came back I had neck pain again down my left side of my neck into my shoulder. I think it is part of that nerve and muscle group on the left side. Because it is my left eye.I can't manipulate my neck right due to the surgery. But as soon I can I am going to go to the crack and see if he can get my neck readjusted and make my eye clear up. Any thoughts?

KAT7201982 · Answer

I experienced a temporary loss of vision in my left eye that lasted about a minute.  I was lying on my stomach in bed, reading, when my eye clouded over white.  I lost vision completely for about a minute and when it came back it was as if I had been staring at the sun.  I went to my regular primary phys. who sent me to an ophtamologist the same day.  That doctor didn't see anything wrong with my eye and referred me to a retinal specialist the following day.  The RS didn't see anything wrong and referred me back to my primary phys. to schedule a carotid doppler and echocardiogram.  I'm waiting to schedule those appointments.  I also have suffered from neck and upper back pain for about 10 years and have been in and out of a chiropractor's care.  I'd be really interested to hear if you have gotten a diagnosis.

cowboycop672005 · Answer

I have been dealing with temporary, partial loss of vision to my left eye only for over three years now. This happens at intervals of approximately once a month, and the partial loss lasts about 2 to 3 minutes, then it goes away. After of about a year of dealing with it, I decided to go see my doctor. He immediately sent me to an optimoligist  who ruled out the eye. I then had several ultrasounds of the heart and carotid artery, CT scan of the brain, and everything came back normal. I subsequently visited a neurologist, cardiologist, and reumotoligist. No one could explain the temporary, partial loss of vision. I am interested in finding out if it's a pinched nerve since I do have constant discomfort to my left shoulder and leg area. Perhaps a pinched nerve ,but  the doctors never checked my back, and only concentrated on a possible blockage of the arteries fearing I was having embolic strokes.

jankaonly · Answer

Four years ago my eye sight got suddenly from perfect to bad, I noticed that I had a lot of pain in my neck as well so I was wondering if there could be any connection. I asked my Optician whether my Eye sight could go bad because of bad neck. She said that there might be some connection but was very quick to tell me I should start wearing glasses, she also gave me a discount voucher I could use if I buy glasses in their shop! :( So, I had worn glasses for a year, I worked as a volunteer at that time and did physically hard work that caused a lot of back pain as well. After a year I decided to undertake a 2 week back treatment, I realized that my eye sight started to get better, I also started to do eye exercises I found on the internet and then I went to see a different Eye doctor (disconnected from any shops :) and she was very surprised that I had been wearing glasses, she said I didn't need glasses. I'm absolutely sure, that my Vision got bad only because there was something wrong with my neck - and I think it was a blocked nerve!

oldben · Answer

YES IT CAN.
i had 3 pinched nerves at age 26. one in my neck that caused my left eye to water and go out of focus and at the same time my nose would start running along with headaches. my Chiropractor said that combinations of nerves being pinched can cause every known disease and ailment that man knows of. to make my point clear, my nephew at age 3 was diagnosed having arthritis . my Chiropractor said nonsense and sent him to lower track bone Chiropractor and he was popped back in. the doctors that diagnosed him said it was a miracle!!!!!
get to a Chiropractor, they use calipers to check the spacing between vertebra,

JPernoudMD · Answer

Sorry I can't put it all together but can make a few comments.

1) Keratoconus could cause all the symptoms you have except the floaters which are probably the same benign floaters everyone gets and the bright glowing stationary circles.

2) In theory bending you head back could affect your blood vessels leading to the visual area of your brain but this would be very rare in someone your age.

3) A pinched nerve in the neck could cause pain around the eye (greater occipital neuralgia) but would not cause visual change.

Hope this helps. Thanks for your service,