Vision disturbances

[Cowboy2233]

Hi. Posted before about vision issues and their relationship to anxiety. So I have been on lexapro for 4 months now. Feel like I am getting much better, but am still having issues with my vision. Mainly my right eye, but every now and then my left. It seems blurry and out of focus. It also seems like it sees things in a slightly different color. It feels heavy at times as well.

Found this in a blog and wondered if this can be true.

-Eye Symptoms: ( I had so many eye problems that I went to the eye doctor 3 times to get checked for diabetes and ms - Of course I had neither)

Blurred vision ( I was amazed at how my vision literally blurred overnight one time and stayed that way for 1 year- now gone)
Very hard to focus at time - (This occurred for 1 year - the eye doctor could not find a reason for it - of course! now gone)
Tricks from the eyes (seeing things that shoot across etc..)
Floaters in the Eyes (spots that are dark in the eyes)
Eyes that try hard to focus all the time (you catch yourself squinting hard even though you don't need to


So can these vision issues consistently affect you for long periods of time even when you don't feel anxious or worried about anything. Anyone else experience these symptoms?

I'm going on 7 months of this and it's driving any anxiety I have. Vicious circle.

[Nowuccas]

Hey Cowboy2233,

From http://www.theroadback.org/lexapro_side_effects.aspx

SPECIAL SENSES

Lexapro side effects
Conjunctivitis - Infection of the membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid, caused by a virus, allergic reaction, or an irritating chemical. It is characterized by redness, a discharge of fluid and itching.

Lexapro side effects
Dry Eyes - Not enough moisture in the eyes.

Lexapro side effects
Earache - Pain in the ear.

Lexapro side effects
Eye Infection - The invasion of the eye tissue by a bacteria, virus, fungus, etc, causing damage to the tissue, with toxicity. Infection spreading in the body progresses into disease.

Lexapro side effects
Eye Irritation - An inflammation of the eye.

Lexapro side effects
Metallic Taste - A range of taste impairment from distorted taste to a complete loss of taste.

Lexapro side effects
Pupils Dilated - Abnormal expansion of the circular opening in the center of the eye.

Lexapro side effects
Taste alteration - Abnormal flavor detection in food.

Lexapro side effects
Tinnitus - A buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound in one or both ears occurring from the internal use of certain drugs.

Lexapro side effects
Vision Abnormal - Normal images are seen differently by the viewer.

Lexapro side effects
Vision Blurred - Eyesight is dim or indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance.

Lexapro side effects
Visual Disturbance - Eyesight is interfered with or interrupted. Some disturbances are light sensitivity and the inability to easily distinguish colors.

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And from https://www.drugs.com/sfx/lexapro-side-effects.html

Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal accommodation, abnormal vision, blepharospasm, blurred vision, dry eyes, eye infection, eye irritation, eye pain, mydriasis, ocular hemorrhage, visual disturbance, xerophthalmia
Postmarketing reports: Angle closure glaucoma, diplopia[Ref]

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Some options:

You could either switch to a similar dosage of another SSRI such as Prozac or Zoloft, or wean off Lexapro (reputedly one of the 2 worst for tapering off) at no more than a 10% reduction weekly; preferably 5% to be on the safe side, or switch to Prozac; stabilise for a while, (say 2 weeks) then reduce to 50% dosage for the next 2 weeks - said to be easier, then try the non-herbal, non pharmaceutical anxiolytics, or the herbal ones, and employ anti-anxiety techniques.

Previous relevant post/s:

GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?33964-New-to-the-site-and-looking-for-help&p=223989#post223989

HERBAL ANXIOLYTICS / ANTI-ANXIETY SUBSTANCES: (passionflower, valerian, St. John's Wort, kanna, sacred lotus, kava kava, etc.) http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?34269-5-Powerful-Tools-You-Probably-Haven-t-Tried-Yet&p=225415#post225415

NON HERBAL NATURAL (NON PHARMACEUTICAL) ANXIOLTYICS: (5-htp, SAMe, etc.) http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?34355-Help-Please!!!/page2

[Cowboy2233]

Thanks for all the info. I'm not really worried about the lexapro. I had these vision issues before I started the medication.
I was just wondering if others had gone through the same vision issues.
As far as the lexapro it has been working. It seem like the only time I have issues with it is when I am focusing on the eye issues.