Post Covid eye disorder: Light sensitivity

Posted by daviddennis123 @daviddennis123, Nov 15, 2021

I have developed severe sensitivity to light. Is this common?

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I have the same thing. I have found a few people who have it too, but doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as the other symptoms. I’ve been to a lot of eye docs, even at Mayo, and they all say my eyes are healthy, though I did develop convergence insufficiency pot COVID, as well as fibromyalgia, and other symptoms. They have tried steroid drops, serum tears, and no relief. I can only work on any electronic device for less than an hour without developing dizziness, nausea, and stabbing right eye pain. Same thing happens when I drive, even with special tinted lenses. I’ve been doing vision therapy but it hasn’t really helped. Just finished attending Mayo Clinic’s 3 week Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. I learned alot. No cure, but has given me some new tools to hopefully improve my quality of life. Would recommend to anyone experiencing chronic symptoms, doesn’t have to be only pain.

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@lynnryan

I have the same thing. I have found a few people who have it too, but doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as the other symptoms. I’ve been to a lot of eye docs, even at Mayo, and they all say my eyes are healthy, though I did develop convergence insufficiency pot COVID, as well as fibromyalgia, and other symptoms. They have tried steroid drops, serum tears, and no relief. I can only work on any electronic device for less than an hour without developing dizziness, nausea, and stabbing right eye pain. Same thing happens when I drive, even with special tinted lenses. I’ve been doing vision therapy but it hasn’t really helped. Just finished attending Mayo Clinic’s 3 week Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. I learned alot. No cure, but has given me some new tools to hopefully improve my quality of life. Would recommend to anyone experiencing chronic symptoms, doesn’t have to be only pain.

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@daviddennis123, I add my welcome to @lynnryan's. David, what do you find relieves your sensitivity to light? Are there situations that make the sensitivity worse?

Lynn, I'd like to introduce you to @rwinney (Rachel) who has also been to Mayo's Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. She, too, manages from eye issues. I was looking at treatment suggestions for convergence insufficiency on Mayo Clinic's site here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/convergence-insufficiency/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352739
Pencil pushups, what a cute name. But I bet it takes a lot of patience to do eye exercises and even more patience to see results.

Are you doing at-home vision therapy or a combination of therapist-led therapy and at home exercises? What exercises do you like?

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@colleenyoung

@daviddennis123, I add my welcome to @lynnryan's. David, what do you find relieves your sensitivity to light? Are there situations that make the sensitivity worse?

Lynn, I'd like to introduce you to @rwinney (Rachel) who has also been to Mayo's Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. She, too, manages from eye issues. I was looking at treatment suggestions for convergence insufficiency on Mayo Clinic's site here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/convergence-insufficiency/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352739
Pencil pushups, what a cute name. But I bet it takes a lot of patience to do eye exercises and even more patience to see results.

Are you doing at-home vision therapy or a combination of therapist-led therapy and at home exercises? What exercises do you like?

Jump to this post

Closing my eyes is the most helpful.l stay inside most of the time when the sun is out. Watching tv or looking at my phone for short periods is about it. I use Ilevro drps and various wetting drops. A new Refresh product with flaxseed oil for relief of dryness.
Doc says he sees nothing wrong with my eyes except I have glaucoma and the drops I use for that all have a preservative that is more irritating post Covid, so I have reduced some of them per docs advice. This has helped with discomfort but not fog and blurring. Before Covid, I only had fog. Blurring is new and it is debilitating .
I use special clip on lens to help filter harmful tv and phone rays.They help a little.
I am almost 84, living with two yellow labs
Not much fun, but the Lord is my Shepherd!

REPLY
@lynnryan

I have the same thing. I have found a few people who have it too, but doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as the other symptoms. I’ve been to a lot of eye docs, even at Mayo, and they all say my eyes are healthy, though I did develop convergence insufficiency pot COVID, as well as fibromyalgia, and other symptoms. They have tried steroid drops, serum tears, and no relief. I can only work on any electronic device for less than an hour without developing dizziness, nausea, and stabbing right eye pain. Same thing happens when I drive, even with special tinted lenses. I’ve been doing vision therapy but it hasn’t really helped. Just finished attending Mayo Clinic’s 3 week Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. I learned alot. No cure, but has given me some new tools to hopefully improve my quality of life. Would recommend to anyone experiencing chronic symptoms, doesn’t have to be only pain.

Jump to this post

@lynnryan Hello there fellow PRC'er. Congratulations on graduating the pain rehab program! It sure was enlightening and changed my life in many ways beyond just pain management that I never anticipated. I'm happy to know you feel the same.

Yes, I have had light sensitivity since before I had cornea transplants and cataracts surgeries, about 11 years now. After the surgeries it intensified which I now understand was an upregulation of central sensitization syndrome (CSS). I passed on the eye exercises when they were offered to help with my secondary cataract. Instead I had YAG laser done and it helped. My sensitivity remains from central sensitization but now I use my PRC (pain rehab center) tools to help control and work with it. The 20/20/20 rule helps and graded exposure is important.

It sounds like you know the tools to help with your dizziness and eyes, and are doing the best you can. Me too. What were your biggest takeaways from attending PRC? In what ways has your quality of life improved?

REPLY
@rwinney

@lynnryan Hello there fellow PRC'er. Congratulations on graduating the pain rehab program! It sure was enlightening and changed my life in many ways beyond just pain management that I never anticipated. I'm happy to know you feel the same.

Yes, I have had light sensitivity since before I had cornea transplants and cataracts surgeries, about 11 years now. After the surgeries it intensified which I now understand was an upregulation of central sensitization syndrome (CSS). I passed on the eye exercises when they were offered to help with my secondary cataract. Instead I had YAG laser done and it helped. My sensitivity remains from central sensitization but now I use my PRC (pain rehab center) tools to help control and work with it. The 20/20/20 rule helps and graded exposure is important.

It sounds like you know the tools to help with your dizziness and eyes, and are doing the best you can. Me too. What were your biggest takeaways from attending PRC? In what ways has your quality of life improved?

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Glad to connect with a fellow graduate! I had a lot of great takeaway’s. Some of the biggest were just understanding CSS, and the importance of staying in good physical health and moderation. I would say I handle stress better, and my depression has decreased. Still working my first 2 week plan, but really feel the tools will give me a better quality of life. Definitely life changing.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@daviddennis123, I add my welcome to @lynnryan's. David, what do you find relieves your sensitivity to light? Are there situations that make the sensitivity worse?

Lynn, I'd like to introduce you to @rwinney (Rachel) who has also been to Mayo's Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. She, too, manages from eye issues. I was looking at treatment suggestions for convergence insufficiency on Mayo Clinic's site here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/convergence-insufficiency/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352739
Pencil pushups, what a cute name. But I bet it takes a lot of patience to do eye exercises and even more patience to see results.

Are you doing at-home vision therapy or a combination of therapist-led therapy and at home exercises? What exercises do you like?

Jump to this post

I’m doing Vision Occupational therapy, as well as exercises they give me at home. A lot of the exercises make me dizzying based on my other symptoms. There is an exercise using a “Brock String”, which I feel has helped some. Also bouncing and catching a ball feels more like fun. 🙂

REPLY
@rwinney

@lynnryan Hello there fellow PRC'er. Congratulations on graduating the pain rehab program! It sure was enlightening and changed my life in many ways beyond just pain management that I never anticipated. I'm happy to know you feel the same.

Yes, I have had light sensitivity since before I had cornea transplants and cataracts surgeries, about 11 years now. After the surgeries it intensified which I now understand was an upregulation of central sensitization syndrome (CSS). I passed on the eye exercises when they were offered to help with my secondary cataract. Instead I had YAG laser done and it helped. My sensitivity remains from central sensitization but now I use my PRC (pain rehab center) tools to help control and work with it. The 20/20/20 rule helps and graded exposure is important.

It sounds like you know the tools to help with your dizziness and eyes, and are doing the best you can. Me too. What were your biggest takeaways from attending PRC? In what ways has your quality of life improved?

Jump to this post

What are you or were you doing to help out with your CSS issues?

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@cyclones30

What are you or were you doing to help out with your CSS issues?

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@cyclones30 Hello there, welcome. Thank you for asking about how I handle my CSS issues? There is a whole lot to offer on this topic but the gist of it that there are 4 categories that I'm all in on for the rest of my life in order to manage chronic pain and sensory issues:

Physical
Emotional
Behavioral
Chemical

Here is a conversation you might find helpful about CSS, and my journey with pain rehab at Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center:

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-pain-rehabilitation-program/

Does CSS affect you? Do you mind telling me a little about yourself?

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I have this too - I have been living in lamplight for the last 3 months. Can't drive at night. For me, getting color changing bulbs was a game-changer (I have Phillips Hue but there are many). Blue and purple light is best for me. Haven't had my eyes examined but I imagine nothing is "wrong" with them.

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I have been through the same and I wear sunglasses all the time even at night. I also use blue light glasses for tv and phones etc.

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