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What does this sound like to anyone?
I can only read for about 15-20 minutes before my eyes begin to burn and the words swim all over the page. Sometimes I get a headache or slight dizziness from trying to continue. It doesn’t matter whether the printing is large or small, although I have not read much in the way of large-print publications, just normal books and magazines. I do see best with a lot of light, but this problem happens even when I have very good incandescent light or bright daylight.
I have had reading glasses for about 5 years. I have a lot of trouble focusing at first when I change between my reading and distance glasses, so I didn’t think bifocals or trifocals would be a good thing for me. Plus I like to read out of the middle of the lens and bring the book up on a pillow to comfortable height, not have to lower my eyes. So, I opted for just using two pairs of glasses at home. If I can’t read labels or menus when I’m out, I just take off my distance vision glasses, hold the item close, and I do just fine for a few minutes. I have a 17-inch monitor and use my old pair of reading glasses for computer work and some reading at the computer desk, which works just fine. I only get the burning sensation if I’m playing a fast-paced computer game like Tetris where I am staring at the screen, or am working for long periods of time, but not for normal typing and reading.
I’ve had my current glasses prescriptions for about 14 months and my vision seems fine. I don’t have the burning/swimming problem at all with my distance vision glasses.
I’m 51, have worn distance vision glasses since age 12, and have never worn contacts.
Just wondering if this sounds like eye strain, dry eye, or if this is a symptom of fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, or neurotoxin effects? I did do rather poorly on two visual contrast eye tests (for neurotoxins) a few years back, but since then I have had my amalgams replaced, have done some chelation/detoxing, and had some Lyme disease treatment.
Would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks!
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 17, 2006 at 12:50:42:
Your ability to keep the world single at the near point is not strong enough, i.e., you're having trouble using both eyes together AT THE NEAR POINT.
There is a very simple exercise that should help you. It's called Brock String. You might want to look up "Brock String" on Google.
My hubby is a retired optometrist and he recommended his patients use a 2-foot string with knots at six, 12 and 18 inches. Tie the string to something slightly below eye level. Hold the other end on the end of your nose. With good light on the string and looking at the attachment point (where you tied it up), you should see two strings coming to a "V". Then look at the 18-inch knot, you should see two strings making an "X" right at the knot. Then look at the 12-inch knot, you should see two strings making an "X". Then look at the six inch knot, you should see an "X".
If you can't maintain the "X" at any of these distances, keep trying in a rhythmatic manner, i.e., "V" "X" "X" "X" relax to the "V" and repeat for two minutes two times daily. You should whip your problem in 10-14 days.
The muscles that move your eyes are 200 times stronger than they need be. Sometimes we forget how to tell them what to do. This exercise is not strengthening the muscles, it is reinforcing the nerve pathway to do the job.
If for any reason you do not see two strings, blink blink blink to see if they appear. The string appearing to come out of your right eye is the one seen by your left eye and vice-versa. If one string is dim, for instance the left string is dim, put a brighter light to your right.
The string should also be level. If not, slightly rotate your head, left to right, to get them level.
Please let us know how you do.
In Reply to: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 17, 2006 at 12:50:42:
Could be dry eye if you're "forgetting" to blink enough. I'm going through some bad eye stuff right now and it's not fun. One of the problems is dry eyes and I can't read or computer much because of it. The eyes burn and things get blurry....but then they get like that at other times too.
I just visited the opthalmologist again today and he assures me all my problems and weird vision/feelings in the eye are a result of the combo of dry eyes and tons of floaters from detached vitreous (both eyes). I didn't know "dry eye" could be SO troublesome and bothersome.
If Alexandria's eye exercise doesn't help, get some artificial tears and see if lubrication will help. If it works, then it would appear your problem is dry eye.
Good luck! It sure sucks when your eyes are messed up. I haven't been this depressed in ages....
Tab
In Reply to: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 17, 2006 at 12:50:42:
Nutmeg,
Have you had an appropriate test for diabetes (archives)? Have you had a workup by an ophthalmologist? Listen to Alexandria and Tabby.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 17, 2006 at 13:17:13:
Hi Alexandria,
Thank you SOoooo much for your suggestion and the detailed instructions! I was hoping you would see this post, get hubby's input, and reply, so thank you for doing that!
Your instructions were much simpler than the ones I found googling "brock string". Seems like the colored buttons and very long cord would only be necessary for someone with very poor vision or neurological problems.
I just tried this test without my reading glasses and here's what I experienced. The only X I can see on the string is the one that is 6 inches down from my nose.
I tried looking at the second knot (12 inches down from nose), and I cannot bring the string together at that point. It gets close (looks to be about an inch apart), so there is no X at the 2nd knot, but also no V beginning at the 2nd knot.
The only V I see when looking at the 2nd knot is the one that is actually formed at the 3rd knot (18 inches down). When I look at the 3rd knot (18 inches down) I see the same V I saw when looking at the 2nd knot.
I hope that is clear the way I'm explaining it.
Blinking doesn't seem to change anything, and the string is even/level on both sides. I did the test first without any glasses, and then with my the older reading glasse I use at the computer. It was slightly better with the glasses, but still the same results. I plan to continue doing these exercises to see if they help. Which would be best, do you think...reading glasses or none at all?
My results suggest to me that your/hubby's assessment of my problem is correct. I'm unable at the moment to bring both eyes together at this distance and beyond, which would correspond roughly with where I hold a book to read.
I do recall having increasing trouble with those eye tests where you are supposed to bring the red dots together. Seems like the eye doctor always has to *help* me quite a bit with the machine, but we never really identified it as a specific problem. He does know that I've complained of difficulty focusing. I will see him in the fall for my regular checkup, or sooner if the problem continues. He is an optometrist who specializes in eye diseases (WA state), and has a very good reputation. I believe he is one of the best eye doctors in the area.
Again, thanks so much!
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Tabby [6.1461] on February 17, 2006 at 18:47:02:
Hi Tabby,
I suspect this could be part of the problem, but will work with the exercises first, since my results seemed to check out.
Thanks!
Wishing you the best--hope you bounce back soon.
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on February 18, 2006 at 08:39:56:
Hi Walt,
Have never had a diabetes test. Is this what you might expect in the way of eye symptoms? Wouldn't blurriness or difficulty focusing occur all the time, not just while reading? I don't have any other symptoms of diabetes that I am aware of.
I did have a fasting blood glucose level done in conjunction with a lipid profile/cardiac risk screening about 2 weeks ago. I know that is not the most accurate way to test, but my blood sugar was in the normal range...86 [range 65-99] after fasting 12 hours and I felt fine. I think I have reversed my hypoglycemic tendencies now, and I am feeling much better in that regard.
I have not had this vision problem checked out at the eye doctor since my last checkup about a year and a couple months ago. It's gotten a bit worse, but was present then as well.
If the exercises don't do the trick, I will make an appointment for an earlier visit, otherwise I will mention it this fall when I go back. My regular eye doctor is an optometrist, but he has a lot of training and experience in treating conditions and diseases which the state (WA) allows. Most people here don't go to opthamologists, and when they do, you sometimes hear complaints about them.
Thank you!
Wishing you the best,
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 20, 2006 at 02:21:35:
Hi Nutmeg
Just wanted to throw an idea out there for you.
If it is related to blood sugar, it could be happening when your blood sugar runs low, possibly????
I know that when my husband went to see an excellent naturopath, and followed her program, his eyesight improved so much,he had to change his prescription lenses for less strong glasses. AND he hasn't had to do that in, oh, about 10 years!
The program he followed focused alot on eating no refined carbs, plenty of protein, herbal mixture (astragalus8) and some supplements. It was also aimed at keeping blood sugar more stable.
Just see if when your blood sugar is low, or you feel it is low, how your eyesight is, as compared to when your blood sugar is stable.
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 20, 2006 at 02:04:33:
Nutmeg:
Every time you make the effort by looking at the knot, you are doing what needs to be done. Ultimately and hopefully, you will see some improvement within a couple of days. Remember, it's the effort that counts, not necessarily the success. You might want to put a brighter light above the string.
As an aside, being that you say that your eye doctor specializes in diseases, and I'm sure he's very good at what he does, but I think he must be an MD, not an OD. An optometrist's primary education is in functional vision, an MD/opthamologist's primary eduction is in diseases and surgery.
It's very hard for my hubby to believe that any optometrist, knowing that you were having trouble putting the dots together without help from the machine, wouldn't immediately know that the problem was not using your eyes together at the near point. This is not throwing stones at your doctor, hubby just thinks his approach is limited by his education. Conversely, an optometrist's approach to doing surgery would be limited by his education.
There's a Pacific College of Optometry in Oregon. I just looked them up on the web and they have campuses in Eugene, Pacific Grove, Portland and others. If you're not near the border, you can call them for a referral.
Having prism put in your glasses would help the problem but they're not pretty and they could make your glasses heavy.
So keep on with your exercises and please keep us posted. It makes hubby happy to be able to try to help you.
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 20, 2006 at 08:17:40:
Hi Alexandria,
I will keep doing the knot thing. Thanks! Don't want prism glasses, so I will continue to work on the source of the problem.
There are 3-4 good opthamologists here, so I will ask around if I need one. It's just that several friends have had problems after various treatments or surgeries with the well-regarded ones. Not necessarily the opthamologist's fault, as it could be their condition & complications, but it makes you wonder.
My eye doctor is an OD, not MD/opthamologist, and I suspect he graduated from Pacific College. I will definitely follow up with my him first, though, if this continues. It's not a new problem, and I have many health challenges, but the vision thing is one I am ready to solve now. I may not have made it enough of an issue in the past with the OD, and I guess I had hoped my new reading glasses would help. Your hubby is correct, though, the OD may not have realized how much of a problem it was, especially since I had sort of accepted it as a norm for me. My primary solution had been to just not read very much, and only in short spurts when I had to. I also thought it was probably related to other health concerns (neurotoxins, lack of sleep), not just a vision problem.
BTW, does the condition of not using the eyes together at the near point have a name?
Thanks so much for all the help. You guys are great.
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by baby bliss' mum [4.1399] on February 20, 2006 at 03:20:25:
Hi Bliss,
Great idea! Thanks..I will do that to see if there is a connection.
Glad hubby had such good improvement & stability in his vision. I have that to look forward to as I heal.
Nutmeg 8-)
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 20, 2006 at 13:03:56:
The condition of not using your eyes together at the near point doesn't really have a name but it's a lack of convergence ability.
Remember, the extraocular muscles (the muscles that move the eyes) are 200 times stronger than they need be. You have to learn how to tell them what to do. And that's what the whole exercise is about.
If you want to prove to yourself that the muscles are strong enough, holding your head straight ahead, look all the way to your right without moving your head. Your left eye will be turned clear in against your nose. Now look all the way to the left. Your right eye will be turned in clear against your nose. It proves you can turn each eye in against your nose without any discomfort.
Not using your eyes together, means you need to learn to turn both eyes in at the same time. That's what the Brock String exercise is doing. If you want to get more technical, every time you make the effort you are breaking down aceytlcoline at the synapse which is where one nerve ends and the next nerve begins. Aceytlcoline resists the passage of the impulse and everytime you successfully jump across that synapse you are breaking down the aceytlcoline and the process of turning your eyes in will become automatic when all resistance is gone.
The brock string is not a muscle exercise. If anything it's a nerve pathway reinforcement.
Hubby doesn't think from what you've said that you need an opthamologist. He says an opthamologist will know less than your OD about this and you're probably right and didn't tell your OD that you were having trouble reading for any length of time.
Keep on doing those exercises. We want progress reports. ; - )
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 20, 2006 at 13:03:56:
If you want to speak to my husband you can email him at Badjoe@socal.rr.com
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 20, 2006 at 15:08:45:
Alexandria,
Such a great explanation. Thanks for taking the time to do that. It makes perfect sense. And I appreciate the e-mail addy if I need to follow up.
I have high hopes that this will do the trick for getting my nerve pathways and peepers working together.
Many thanks!
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 20, 2006 at 15:08:45:
Alexandria, that was the most fascinating of reads. Too bad not one doctor I've seen myself or taken others have ever mentioned anything like it. I've been
around all sorts, including retina specialists for a great assortment of eye ailments.
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 17, 2006 at 13:17:13:
nm
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 20, 2006 at 15:08:45:
Hi alexandria
Hope you don't mind me butting in here, but you seem to ahve a really knowledge of all of this.
I have noticed lately, that sometimes when I am focusing on an object, or even reading,t hat my eyes are jumping slightly,or vibrating slightly. I am wondering if this may be connected to fatigue??? I haven't been sleeping well lately. My infant ssleeps right through the night,, but it's me just waking up for god knows what reason, and then can't go back to sleep.
I am noticing more that it tends to happen when I am tired, and not feeling up to par. Do you think it's something to be concerned about????
thanks!
Mama Bliss
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Nutmeg [86.74] on February 20, 2006 at 13:18:29:
HI Nutmeg
Once he stopped following the program, and went back to his "old diet", his eyes slowly went back to how they were.
Best of health to you!
Mama bliss
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading…(Alexandria) posted by baby bliss' mum [4.1399] on February 20, 2006 at 19:48:49:
Hi Bliss, my hubby is the smart one who answers these questions, I just bring them to his attention and type what he says. He says he doesn't think there is anything for you to worry about--you are right, it's probably tiredness.
And this too shall pass.
In Reply to: I hope Walt will archive your exercise. posted by Sally [1945.1192] on February 20, 2006 at 18:02:29:
Sally,
Done.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Vision problem while reading… posted by Alexandria Dumas [4750.2515] on February 17, 2006 at 13:17:13:
Thank you, Walt, for archiving this!
I've been doing this exercise twice a day for a couple of days now and am already seeing improvement in my ability to bring the knots together and see X's instead of V's!!
I sit at my computer, tuck the end of the string under the front edge of the keyboard on the keyboard shelf, and sit up straight agains the back of my chair. That gives me just the right distance. Instead of holding the string at the end of my nose, I hold it just below my nose, as one of the sites I googled said. Otherwise, I can't see a V. I do it with my reading glasses off first, then on. Not sure which is better.
Very cool. Thanks again to Alexandria and her hubby the eye doc.
Nutmeg
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