Anyone experiencing dry eyes and vision changes?

Posted by sanedeb3 @sanedeb3, May 16, 2022

Since October 2020, I have had progression in my eyes being dry and when I look at words, part of the letters are missing. I had a mri of my head and I saw my eye doctor for my annual exam. He says it’s dry eyes making the words not appear full. It’s very bothersome.

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imallears | @imallears | May 16, 2022

@sanedeb3

Hi,

I don’t know your eye Doctor’s specialty or how detailed the exam was but I think you should see a retina specialist because missing parts of words sounds like there might be something wrong with the macular. If you blink, do the words reappear fully or are they missing parts all the time? That’s an important question. Are you taking eye drops? When you blink the tear film completely covers your cornea and you are able to see better. If you have dry eyes, this period of clarity doesn’t last as long. Dry eyes can lead to more serious visual complications and can be caused by medications and could be age related, or due prolonged computer work among many causes.

For testing at home , see if you can get your hands on an Amsler grid and follow the directions. You might be able to use one online. In the meantime get some over the counter eye drops like Thera tears if your doctor hasn’t already recommended one.

I have experience with retinal detachment, early dry macular degeneration and am being treated currently for macular edema and have had dry eyes for years.

FL Mary

rankinpsc1 | @rankinpsc1 | May 16, 2022

I had 1 Pfizer shot, not Covid but have experienced eye focusing problems, particularly in one eye an blurriness dead center comes and goes. Had through eye exam and they can’t see anything

gac | @gac | May 19, 2022

Yes, especially left eye. Vision has changed a lot now ha ve very to get new glasses. Just using OTC Eye drops.

cmd | @cmd | May 20, 2022

In reply to @gac "Yes, especially left eye. Vision has changed a lot now ha ve very to get new..." + (show)

Severe dry eyes using OTC drops with omega 3.

chrissy188 | @chrissy188 | May 20, 2022

In reply to @gac "Yes, especially left eye. Vision has changed a lot now ha ve very to get new..." + (show)

My eyes were also affected, first when I had covid in Feb. 2021 and then problems as a side effect each time I got a vaccine. I had a mild case of covid. I just thought I had a mild cold until I lost my ability to taste and smell. Both eyes had a sticky feel to them and my vision would blur. It would clear up when I blinked a few times. When I got the first Moderna vaccine in Mar. 2021, I got a large floater in the left eye. It cleared up after a few days along with other side effects of the vaccine. When I got the second Moderna vaccine in Apr. 2021, I saw flashing lights in the peripheral vision of my left eye. That also cleared up after a day or two along with other side effects of the vaccine. I have had dry eyes for many years and have not had any real problems with them. I had my regular eye exam in Apr. 2021 before my second vaccine. I told my eye doctor about the eye troubles I had when I had covid and after the first vaccine. She gave me a thorough exam. Everything checked out ok and there was no change in my vision. I have kept the same prescription for years. I just went to my yearly exam in Apr. 2022. I told her then that I had been having trouble with my left eye feeling "stickier" than the right eye and looking wetter. She found that the conjunctiva in the left eye had stretched slightly. My vision has also changed, but only slightly. She did a thorough exam including yearly pictures of the retina, macula and optic nerve. All of those remain healthy. I did get in a study last year which checked antibody levels from either having covid or the vaccines. They were checked three times in three month intervals. In each of my results, the levels were extremely high. My ability to taste and smell comes and goes, but has gotten a little better. There are studies out that say hyper-immunity could possibly cause problems down the line. we can only hope and pray for the best. I pray for everyone who has been affected by all this.

sanedeb3 | @sanedeb3 | May 21, 2022

The eye doc did a different exam and said I have an epiretinal membrane in my left eye. I’ve noticed peoples comments on here about things effective the left eye. Wonder why that is?

pacer3702 | @pacer3702 | May 21, 2022

In reply to @rankinpsc1 "I had 1 Pfizer shot, not Covid but have experienced eye focusing problems, particularly in one..." + (show)

There is a patient in the Neuro V Long-Haulers facebook group who had severe vision issues immediately after the Covid vaccine. The ophthalmologists originally couldn't find anything, but she was able to prove that she had an eye tracking issue. The doctor then ordered a specialized test, which identified the problem. You could read about her story by joining the group.

lynngns | @lynngns | May 22, 2022

In reply to @cmd "Severe dry eyes using OTC drops with omega 3." + (show)

I have Sjorgens disease that causes dry eyes.
I suggest only using Natural Tears as often as needed. Covid has affected my vision for sure. See Optometrist. May need a prescription change for glasses. It has also affected my hearing.