Blurred or Double Vision and Fibromyalgia Syndrome

How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Vision

Fibromyalgia syndrome causes widespread pain, heightened sensitivity and persistent fatigue. Beyond these well known symptoms, many people with the condition also report problems with their eyesight.

Visual disturbances can be unsettling. Some people with fibromyalgia describe them as part of their experience, though research into these specific symptoms remains limited. If you notice any sudden changes to your vision, book an appointment with an optician or your GP promptly. While fibromyalgia may play a role, it is always sensible to rule out other conditions.

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Blurred and Double Vision

Some people with fibromyalgia report that their vision becomes blurred or doubled at times. The exact cause is not fully understood, and there is limited scientific evidence directly linking these symptoms to fibromyalgia itself. Fatigue, medication side effects, or co-existing conditions may contribute.

Dry eyes can also add to the problem. When the surface of the eye lacks moisture, vision may seem less clear. While some fibromyalgia patients experience dry eyes, this may be related to accompanying conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome or as a side effect of certain medications rather than fibromyalgia directly.

If you experience persistent blurred or double vision, an eye examination can help identify whether another treatable cause is responsible.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

What Can Help With Visual Symptoms

There are several approaches that may ease visual discomfort:

• Eye exercises can help stretch and relax the muscles around the eyes. An optometrist can suggest specific routines suited to your needs.
• Regular breaks from screens and close work give your eye muscles time to rest. The 20-20-20 rule is a simple guide: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Keeping your eyes lubricated with preservative free eye drops can reduce dryness and improve comfort.
• Some people find it helpful to have more than one pair of glasses with slightly different prescriptions for different tasks.

If your symptoms persist or worsen, ask your GP for a referral to an ophthalmologist for a fuller assessment.

Sensitivity to Light

Light sensitivity, sometimes called photophobia, is reported by some people with fibromyalgia. Bright sunshine, fluorescent lighting and computer screens may feel uncomfortably intense. For some, exposure to harsh light can trigger headaches or eye pain.

This heightened sensitivity may fit with the way fibromyalgia affects the nervous system more broadly, though clinical research confirming photophobia as a direct symptom of fibromyalgia is still limited. Some researchers suggest that central sensitisation could play a role, but more studies are needed.

A few practical adjustments may help reduce discomfort:

• Wearing sunglasses outdoors, even on overcast days, can make a noticeable difference.
• Tinted lenses designed for indoor use are available and may help with artificial lighting.
• Adjusting screen brightness and using blue light filters on computers and phones can ease strain.
• Where possible, choosing softer lighting at home and avoiding rooms lit mainly by fluorescent tubes may provide some relief.

If light sensitivity is affecting your daily life or work, mention it to your GP or occupational health team. Reasonable adjustments in the workplace, such as changes to lighting or screen settings, may be available under the Equality Act 2010.

Living with visual symptoms alongside fibromyalgia can be frustrating. Working with your optician and GP will help you find strategies that suit your situation, and ruling out other causes ensures you receive the right care.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Flare Up Analyser lets you describe your current flare up and we will help you identify likely triggers and what might ease it. Try it now →