Eyes and Neuropathy

Posted by Rachel, Volunteer Mentor @rwinney, Jun 17, 2020

I would love to hear from folks who have peripheral neuropathy and eyes problems such as worsening dry eye and photophobia (light sensitivity). Has anyone been to a neuro opthamologist for this and been advised of the correlation? What did you learn?

My eyes have mitigating circumstances.... beginning with Fuchs Dystrophy (cornea disease) requiring cataract and cornea transplants, intractable migraine and Small Fiber Polyneuropathy...all of which play off each other. Photophobia, for me, has been constant since prior to eye surgeries and increasingly worse after. Migraines create photophobia and vice versa. SFN is nerve damage/dysfunction which for me has created hyperalgesia (overactive and hyper sensitivity). The cornea contains the highest number of small fibers in your entire body. My ongoing dry eye is developing along with intense flares of light sensitivity. I feel like a vampire...it puts me down, to bed, in hiding. As I explore how to tackle worsening dry eye, I came across this link that opened my mind further and thought maybe it might help some of you who have dry eye and neuropathy.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

@jesfactsmon

@onamission
Thanks for this information. One thing you have done for me is open my eyes to boron which seems not to have had enough research done on it. I am considering adding a boron supplement to our diets (wife and myself) based on some admittedly fairly superficial research done over the past couple hours. One thing that got me was that there was a study done in 1994 showing a significant improvement in brain function as well as bone and joint health, but this did not spur further research for some reason (likely $$). But there seems to be enough info out there to indicate that boron can be beneficial in a number of ways, while at the same time it may be difficult to get enough into on's diet, especially older people who don't eat as much quantity or variety of foods.

Just curious: I briefly glanced through your posts and you seem to be quite knowledgeable regarding vitamins and minerals, particularly magnesium, but others also. I am wondering, did you have a career in this field, or what propelled you into gaining this knowledge? Thanks again, Hank

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Hank, I learned a few years ago that at the center of the chlorophyll molecule is an atom of magnesium. Without magnesium, chlorophyll cannot capture sun energy needed for photosynthesis. I felt I needed to find out more about something that important. In 1999 I read Dr. Atkin's Vita Nutrient Solutions book that allowed me to understand more about magnesium and many other nutrients. Since then I've been on a mission to expand on the contents of Atkin's book and learn how to apply it for better health and health issues. I'm glad you are considering adding boron to your training table. Dr.Jorge Flechas, a medical doctor in North Carolina, has serveral youtube videos on boron. Boron in the form found in 20 Mule Team Borax.has uses other than laundry. The wood I treated two years ago for an inground project is still sound. Borax permanently termite proofs wood in addition to making it fire and mold resistant. As you see a search on boron pays dividends.

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@onamission

Hank, I learned a few years ago that at the center of the chlorophyll molecule is an atom of magnesium. Without magnesium, chlorophyll cannot capture sun energy needed for photosynthesis. I felt I needed to find out more about something that important. In 1999 I read Dr. Atkin's Vita Nutrient Solutions book that allowed me to understand more about magnesium and many other nutrients. Since then I've been on a mission to expand on the contents of Atkin's book and learn how to apply it for better health and health issues. I'm glad you are considering adding boron to your training table. Dr.Jorge Flechas, a medical doctor in North Carolina, has serveral youtube videos on boron. Boron in the form found in 20 Mule Team Borax.has uses other than laundry. The wood I treated two years ago for an inground project is still sound. Borax permanently termite proofs wood in addition to making it fire and mold resistant. As you see a search on boron pays dividends.

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@onamission, thanks for your answer. So here you are, 20 years on from the start of this interest of yours in minerals and health and it is obviously still a passion for you. How cool! As I said, I scanned through all your posts on Connect and I must applaud your efforts in trying to bring a message of good health and learning to others, particularly about something many find too arcane to know much about (e.g. boron). By the way, it's I have boron in my Amazon shopping cart, NOW brand. Say, do you have any tips on supplement brands you prefer using and why they seem good to you? Just wondering. Best, Hank

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The attached link lists boron content in high content foods together with the amount required for the indicated mg amount. Even if these foods could be consistent in boron content I wonder how many would consume the amount needed to reach even a 3 mg level. Of course it's good to favor boron rich foods but a supplement offers obvious advantages. It's important to remember, boron is a calcium manager like magnesium and K2MK4. They work together to keep calcium from becoming toxic. Now is a good brand that is consistent in quality. I favor supplements minimizing fillers and the usual suspects..soy, wheat, etc. The heart of supplements is form and source. Alpha Lipoic Acid, for example, comes in several forms but R- Alpha Lipoic Acid is the exact form the body makes and recognizes.
https://www.algaecal.com/algaecal-ingredients/boron/boron-sources/

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@onamission

The attached link lists boron content in high content foods together with the amount required for the indicated mg amount. Even if these foods could be consistent in boron content I wonder how many would consume the amount needed to reach even a 3 mg level. Of course it's good to favor boron rich foods but a supplement offers obvious advantages. It's important to remember, boron is a calcium manager like magnesium and K2MK4. They work together to keep calcium from becoming toxic. Now is a good brand that is consistent in quality. I favor supplements minimizing fillers and the usual suspects..soy, wheat, etc. The heart of supplements is form and source. Alpha Lipoic Acid, for example, comes in several forms but R- Alpha Lipoic Acid is the exact form the body makes and recognizes.
https://www.algaecal.com/algaecal-ingredients/boron/boron-sources/

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Cha ching! I love raisins and eat them to fulfill my need for sugar (in natural form). Almonds are right behind raisins in high consumption for me. I definitely agree on "R" Alpha Lipoic Acid which is why I dont mind spending top dollar for it. Thanks for the conversation and tips!

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Hello everyone, I tried really hard to read through all of the posts but my eyes will not allow me to see it all. Wow, you guys really have some serious eye problems. I do have photophobia but have been told that it is due to my connective tissue disease. I noticed that since I got on gabapentin, I'm having a lot of double vision and, letters are underneath letters only a little bit lighter for example I'm looking at white on black letters and it's a long sentence and underneath the sentence is the same sentence only it's a much much lighter white-on-black. This happens off and on throughout the day. I also have a very subdued pattern of asymmetrical light gray and white in my whole field of vision. All of these things are very distracting and I don't like it. My visual Acuity is fine. I did have one cataract surgery but chickened out of the second because of severe pain. They scratched my cornea and I could barely tolerate the Post-op medicine I mean I was pretty much screaming and crying it was so intense. The pharmacist told me this is common for gabapentin and eye doctors I've told it to don't seem concerned. I do also have some tissue death on my retina for from taking hydroxychloroquine AKA Plaquenil, for over 21 years. However, if I were to get the covid virus I would take it again in a heartbeat, temporarily. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers and I was just reaching out to see if any of you experienced these symptoms and what's your what your thoughts are. I wish you all the very, very best! Warmest regards, Sunnyflower

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@rwinney

Cha ching! I love raisins and eat them to fulfill my need for sugar (in natural form). Almonds are right behind raisins in high consumption for me. I definitely agree on "R" Alpha Lipoic Acid which is why I dont mind spending top dollar for it. Thanks for the conversation and tips!

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rwinney, Came across this information and didn't know if it's old news to you. Flavonoids represent an enormous opportunity for solutions to a variety of health concerns. This link is about quercetin's benefits for the eye. Maybe it holds some answers for you. Quercetin has a low absorption rate so look for high absorption products.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685256/

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@onamission

rwinney, Came across this information and didn't know if it's old news to you. Flavonoids represent an enormous opportunity for solutions to a variety of health concerns. This link is about quercetin's benefits for the eye. Maybe it holds some answers for you. Quercetin has a low absorption rate so look for high absorption products.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685256/

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Thank you very much. I'll check it out!

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@onamission

rwinney, Came across this information and didn't know if it's old news to you. Flavonoids represent an enormous opportunity for solutions to a variety of health concerns. This link is about quercetin's benefits for the eye. Maybe it holds some answers for you. Quercetin has a low absorption rate so look for high absorption products.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685256/

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@onamission I read this link and am amazed by the benefits to my cornea. I found the top 10 Quercetin products. I am already taking ample supplements...why not one more. What brand do you recommend? Have you personally used Quercetin?
Thanks,
Rachel

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@rwinney

@onamission I read this link and am amazed by the benefits to my cornea. I found the top 10 Quercetin products. I am already taking ample supplements...why not one more. What brand do you recommend? Have you personally used Quercetin?
Thanks,
Rachel

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Hi Girls and anyone interested, I have dry eyes as well so have been using a tiny (grain of rice or smaller) blob of lubricating eye ointment at night. I was told to make sure it has either castor oil or mineral oil in it, the higher percent the better. The one I'm using now is Soothe Lubricant Eye Ointment made my Bausch and Lomb but I thought Walgreen's own brand had a higher percent of those oils than what I'm using. It's almost impossible to see once it's in, so be sure to wait until you're in bed and ready to sleep. You can blink and blot it out if necessary. I have been able to make it to the bathroom in the dark but it's more difficult. It really works! BTW, for those of you who use a C-Pap and have dry eyes, my husband has recently begun to use a sleep mask and those symptoms have disappeared! Often the air from the C-PAP or A-PAP can blow into the eyes at night. Also, we blink less when we sleep so thus can have dryer eyes in the mornings. If I understood that correctly. I also use Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Complete Optimal Dry Eye Relief which also has mineral oil in it, during the day. I find a little problem (sting) that I think is from the preservatives. Hope this helps in some significant way. Warmest regards, Sunny (too lazy to type the "flower" LOL! Okay, truth be told, can't see well and more time, more eye strain, more pain!

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@sunnyflower

Hello everyone, I tried really hard to read through all of the posts but my eyes will not allow me to see it all. Wow, you guys really have some serious eye problems. I do have photophobia but have been told that it is due to my connective tissue disease. I noticed that since I got on gabapentin, I'm having a lot of double vision and, letters are underneath letters only a little bit lighter for example I'm looking at white on black letters and it's a long sentence and underneath the sentence is the same sentence only it's a much much lighter white-on-black. This happens off and on throughout the day. I also have a very subdued pattern of asymmetrical light gray and white in my whole field of vision. All of these things are very distracting and I don't like it. My visual Acuity is fine. I did have one cataract surgery but chickened out of the second because of severe pain. They scratched my cornea and I could barely tolerate the Post-op medicine I mean I was pretty much screaming and crying it was so intense. The pharmacist told me this is common for gabapentin and eye doctors I've told it to don't seem concerned. I do also have some tissue death on my retina for from taking hydroxychloroquine AKA Plaquenil, for over 21 years. However, if I were to get the covid virus I would take it again in a heartbeat, temporarily. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers and I was just reaching out to see if any of you experienced these symptoms and what's your what your thoughts are. I wish you all the very, very best! Warmest regards, Sunnyflower

Jump to this post

@sunnyflower I have double vision, probably a symptom of autonomic neuropathy. I had a prism ground into the right lens of my regular glasses, and it was better for a month or so, but has returned with some new variations. Most of the time I just deal with it, but as it progresses it could become an issue. I hope it doesn't become bad enough that I would lose my driver's license. @avmcbellar has written about treatment options.

My eyes get tired after reading very much, both print and digital. After going through posts here for a while, I need to go lie down and rest them.

Jim

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