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Sore Eyes, Hazy Vision, Headache, Nausea. Diagnosed With ADHD, Asthma. Suggest Remedy
Question: Complaint: For the last nine months or so, have significantly sore eyes (especially after reading / using my PC a great deal). There seems to be a high correlation to intense reading/PC use, and the following symptoms:
• Sore eyes (around the top mostly; looking up (e.g. top of PC screen) is less comfortable)
• Significant sensitivity to light
• hazy vision, (occasionally significant impairment (e.g cannot read well, or drive at night))
• headaches, (occasionally wake up ~ 3:00 am with extremely sore eyes and headache)
• some nausea (with loose bowel movements).
Pattern:
• Seems to happen after a day or two of intense reading and/or PC work.
Personal information:
• 53 year old
• Male
• teach college (XXXXXX
• Former VP Finance (employers:XXXXXX
• Had headaches since teen (took 16 aspirin a day at age 18, now take 6 aleve / day).
• Have used a PC 10+ hours/day since 1985 - nothing new there.
Health history:
• generally healthy, strong, 5’9, weight 190 lbs
• have significant heart flutter (prescription for beta-blockers, but don't take)
• diagnosed with ADHD in 1967 – still have prescription for Dexedrine, but don’t take)
• have seasonal asthma (bronchitis / pneumonia every year since 1 year old)
Hi, may I answer your health queries? Please type your query here...
• Sore eyes (around the top mostly; looking up (e.g. top of PC screen) is less comfortable)
• Significant sensitivity to light
• hazy vision, (occasionally significant impairment (e.g cannot read well, or drive at night))
• headaches, (occasionally wake up ~ 3:00 am with extremely sore eyes and headache)
• some nausea (with loose bowel movements).
Pattern:
• Seems to happen after a day or two of intense reading and/or PC work.
Personal information:
• 53 year old
• Male
• teach college (XXXXXX
• Former VP Finance (employers:XXXXXX
• Had headaches since teen (took 16 aspirin a day at age 18, now take 6 aleve / day).
• Have used a PC 10+ hours/day since 1985 - nothing new there.
Health history:
• generally healthy, strong, 5’9, weight 190 lbs
• have significant heart flutter (prescription for beta-blockers, but don't take)
• diagnosed with ADHD in 1967 – still have prescription for Dexedrine, but don’t take)
• have seasonal asthma (bronchitis / pneumonia every year since 1 year old)
Hi, may I answer your health queries? Please type your query here...
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I really appreciate the detailed description you have provided, regarding your medical problems. It helps.
Based on the description, you seem to be having a chronic migraine.
The best way to tackle it is taking preventive medications (to reduce the frequency and severity of headache episodes). I know you do not like medications though!
Options for preventive medications include beta blockers (which would help your flutter too!), topiramate, divalproex, etc. Botox injections have recently got approved for this indication too.
Preventing the triggering factors is also advised, however, it may not be possible in your case. Anti-glare screen on computer may be good for you. Taking small breaks at regular intervals would also be useful.
I hope it helps. I would be pleased to answer any follow up questions.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Thank you for posting your query.
I really appreciate the detailed description you have provided, regarding your medical problems. It helps.
Based on the description, you seem to be having a chronic migraine.
The best way to tackle it is taking preventive medications (to reduce the frequency and severity of headache episodes). I know you do not like medications though!
Options for preventive medications include beta blockers (which would help your flutter too!), topiramate, divalproex, etc. Botox injections have recently got approved for this indication too.
Preventing the triggering factors is also advised, however, it may not be possible in your case. Anti-glare screen on computer may be good for you. Taking small breaks at regular intervals would also be useful.
I hope it helps. I would be pleased to answer any follow up questions.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you,
I have two questions:
1) The current beta blocker Rx is for Toprol XL 25 (I haven't taken it since 2006)
- is this a good Rx to take care of the headaches?
I will follow up with a local doctor, but would you recomment a different drug, different dose?
2) Also, I am wondering WHY are these headaches increasing in severity now, at age 53 (to the point that I can't see well). I retired from being CFO due to the heart problem; life as a professor is far less intense - I always had to read a great deal, and spend a great deal of time on a PC - so why now?
Possibilities could include the following changes:
- my eyes have deteriorated (glasses strength doubled last two years) - I see optometrist every six months now, and have appt with an Opthamologist next week.
- we changed to CFLO (compact florescent) light bulbs?
- new PC (another Toshiba, but this is my 15th laptop, and 7th Toshiba)?
- simply age (although only 53)?
Thank you in advance, and good karma,
XXXXXXX
I have two questions:
1) The current beta blocker Rx is for Toprol XL 25 (I haven't taken it since 2006)
- is this a good Rx to take care of the headaches?
I will follow up with a local doctor, but would you recomment a different drug, different dose?
2) Also, I am wondering WHY are these headaches increasing in severity now, at age 53 (to the point that I can't see well). I retired from being CFO due to the heart problem; life as a professor is far less intense - I always had to read a great deal, and spend a great deal of time on a PC - so why now?
Possibilities could include the following changes:
- my eyes have deteriorated (glasses strength doubled last two years) - I see optometrist every six months now, and have appt with an Opthamologist next week.
- we changed to CFLO (compact florescent) light bulbs?
- new PC (another Toshiba, but this is my 15th laptop, and 7th Toshiba)?
- simply age (although only 53)?
Thank you in advance, and good karma,
XXXXXXX
Thank you for getting back with more details, and asking important questions.
Regarding beta blockers, propranolol is the most preferred drug for migraine, though other beta blockers too have anti-migraine properties. The usual recommended dose for propranolol for migraine ranges from 40-160 mg per day.
It is difficult to pinpoint a specific reason for worsening of migraine in your case. Deterioration of vision could be a reason. Other possibilities mentioned by you are unlikely to aggravate the migraines. Regarding age, in most, the severity of migraine decreases after 50! Severe migraines are generally more common in younger people!
Other common triggers for migraine are reduced sleep, stress, not eating food on time, etc.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Regarding beta blockers, propranolol is the most preferred drug for migraine, though other beta blockers too have anti-migraine properties. The usual recommended dose for propranolol for migraine ranges from 40-160 mg per day.
It is difficult to pinpoint a specific reason for worsening of migraine in your case. Deterioration of vision could be a reason. Other possibilities mentioned by you are unlikely to aggravate the migraines. Regarding age, in most, the severity of migraine decreases after 50! Severe migraines are generally more common in younger people!
Other common triggers for migraine are reduced sleep, stress, not eating food on time, etc.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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