1. Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
    Dismiss Notice

Is there any possbility that dry eye associate with TMS?

Discussion in 'General Discussion Subforum' started by Ned2020, Aug 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM.

Tags:
  1. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    I got dry eye four years ago. It's very painful when I use computer or mobile phone and my eyes have severe spasm. My doctor told me that the condition of my eyes is not that bad, and I shouldn't have that much pain. He said maybe there are some psychological effects. So I come here and ask if there are any clues about it.

    I am sorry that I can't write more details because I feel uncomfortable when I use computer.
     
  2. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

  3. Diana-M

    Diana-M Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hi Ned,
    TMS can create eye symptoms, but you can get better! I’m glad you found the success stories page. A recent forum member @dlane2530 has eye issues. You might want to look back on some of her posts. She’s made some good progress. Hope you feel better soon.
     
    JanAtheCPA likes this.
  4. JanAtheCPA

    JanAtheCPA Beloved Grand Eagle

    @Ned2020, we always recommend that anyone who is new to these concepts should read one of Dr John Sarno's books. I recommend that you listen to The Mindbody Prescription on audiobook. If you don't have a subscription service, check your public library, I know that mine has all his books in paper, ebook and audio formats.
     
  5. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    Thanks. I am not new here. I have read his book and cure my back pain. What’s public library? How can I check it? I am sorry I can’t understand.
     
  6. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    Thanks. I am not sure mine is TMS. Those stories seem different from mine. Actually I join some online dry eye discussion groups. They have similar symptoms and say the most possible reason is that they have too much screen time or watch screen wrongly…

    I don’t know how to deal with it if it is TMS. I had lower back pain for two years and it was just gone after I read Dr. Sarno’ book. But dry eye… I really don’t know.
     
    HealingMe likes this.
  7. JanAtheCPA

    JanAtheCPA Beloved Grand Eagle

    You're on your own to find the translation from English.

    In Mindbody Prescription, Dr Sarno introduced his belief that there are many more TMS symptoms than just back pain. This belief is now widely recognized as fact.
     
    HealingMe likes this.
  8. HealingMe

    HealingMe Beloved Grand Eagle

    Hey, so, I’m going to suggest you stop visiting these types of forums. They will continue to fuel your fear. My experience is they are not helpful while you recover. You have healed your back pain before, so you can heal your dry eyes.
     
    JanAtheCPA likes this.
  9. dlane2530

    dlane2530 Well known member

    Diana is right about eye issues.
    I know that for myself, some of it has been reacting with alarm to something that is objectively not that big a deal -- a person who wasn't obsessing over eyes wouldn't think much of it.
    Of course, there are also real vision issues, and I've had some of those, too. That's what the eye doc is for. A second opinion, even a third, is a good thing. But then it's time to stop and work on treating the dry eye as a stress response.
    If it's happening just with screens it sounds an awful lot like a conditioned response (TMS). Yes, staring at a screen (or anything) can make you forget to blink, but I hear a lot of fear in your post. Are you afraid of using screens because it might cause dryness or pain? Fear itself can cause dryness and pain. It becomes self-fulfilling. Baby steps toward using screens more? Adding 5 minutes at a time and learning that it's actually okay?
    Good luck.
     
    JanAtheCPA likes this.
  10. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    Thanks. Actually I don't visit them too much because I only use smartphone several minutes per day. I don’t think they are completely negative and useless. I have some physical methods, maybe I should try them first, like for a month.
     
  11. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    Thanks. I used computer every day for at least two hours because I have to earn money. But my condition had little progress, so I divided to stop one month ago. Now I only use smartphone to send messages or buy stuffs.
    Those stories are too early when smartphone is not invented. I know it sounds absurd even the doctor doesn’t believe it.
    I don’t have vision problems. Watching screens just makes my eyes dry painful and red. I can’t sleep if I watch too much. I’m not sure if it damages my eyes.

    I’m trying some physical methods like message and eye muscle treating, and they do make some changes.
    Thank you for your suggestion, I will consider it if those methods don’t work.
     
  12. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    I’m sorry not just screen. Like reading, in a driving car even making dumplings also cause it.
     
  13. mikeinlondon

    mikeinlondon Well known member

    I had severe eye issues last year. Looking at screens or phones were painful. Even day light would be triggering. Had to resort to glasses for a while. I suffer from Crohn’s Disease and last year I had a really bad flare. I heard anecdotally that the inflammation in the gut could affect the eyes. Anyways I took antibiotics for a stomach infection then the eye issues got much better. I still am unsure if it was caused by TMS. What I would say to you is make sure you don’t have an underlying health issue and if that’s confirmed then that would, through matter of exclusion, tell you that it very well could be TMS. Also make sure that any medications you’re taking do not affect the eyes.
     
  14. mikeinlondon

    mikeinlondon Well known member

    Also try lowering the brightness of the screens to minimum and use night mode. Also anti glare filters help a and increasing the refresh rate. Those things helped me.
     
  15. Ned2020

    Ned2020 New Member

    Thank you. That’s helps a lot.
     

Share This Page