Vision Problems in CFS and Fibromyalgia

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Vision Problems in CFS and Fibromyalgia

_http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-vision_problems.html_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-vision_problems.html)

In CFS/FMS, it usually reflects as blurred vision caused by rapidly changing

visual acuity (ability to focus). People often note that they get an

eyeglass prescription, only to have it no longer be accurate by the time they

get

their glasses made. This occurs because the fluid in your eyes and the lens in

your eye, and the strength of the muscles which allow the lens and pupils to

focus can change minute to minute as your thyroid and adrenal (and associated

blood sugar) levels fluctuate. In fact, some doctors use the inability of

your pupil to stay consistently constricted when a light is shined on your eyes

as a measure of adrenal weakness. This is why in my book _From Fatigued to

Fantastic!_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/publications/from-fatigued-to-fan/) ,

I recommend holding off on getting new glasses until ~ 2-3 months

into treatment (especially with thyroid and adrenal support), at which time

your vision will usually stabilize.

Another common problem is the gradual increase in **floaters** that one

sees. These are common even in those without CFS, as the lens of the eye

magnifies debris-like small blood cells. Unless there is a rapid * shower * of

these

going across your vision (in which case you should see the eye doctor

immediately to look for a retinal tear), these " floaters " are generally benign

and

can be ignored. In CFS/FMS, people sometimes see strands that look like fungi,

and which often resolve with the antifungal Diflucan (see _Candida —

Eliminating Yeast/Fungal Overgrowth_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n_2/Infections-candida_eliminating_\

yeast_fungal_overgrowth.html) ). They are also

not dangerous, but can be a marker of recurrent yeast issues.

Another major problem is difficulty with dry eyes and dry mouth (called

" sicca syndrome " ). This usually improves by avoiding medications (such as

Elavil)

which aggravate the problem, and taking _Fish Oil_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/eskimo-3-fish-oil-li/)

and the _Energy

Revitalization System_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/berry-splash/) vitamin

powder. Give these 6 weeks to work. In addition, for contact

lens and dry eye induced irritation, using special eye drops containing vitamin

A (a good example is _Viva Eye drops_ (http://www.cornealscience.com/) ) can

be very helpful over time. Opthalmologists have reported that using

testosterone cream on the upper eyelids can also help in severe cases of dry

eyes.

For those without CFS, other major eye problems include: 1. Cataracts

2. Glaucoma 3. Macular degeneration. In addition, it is estimated

that 300,000 cases of macular degeneration (35% of cases), a leading cause of

blindness, could be prevented simply by supplementation with antioxidants and

zinc! 4. Floaters

We will discuss how to treat and prevent these naturally in our next

newsletter (due out the week of December 22nd).

References

_Article_ (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/520823) at MedScape (free

registration required).