So, do you think you know all the symptoms of B12 deficiency? Well, one overlooked sign is eye problems like double vision, blurry vision, and nystagmus. Here are some common vision problems that accompany B12 deficiency.
Myelin and optic neuritis
Myelin is a fatty substance that sheathes and protects your nerve cells, including the ones that control your eyesight, sense of smell, taste perception, hearing, and touch. Demyelinating diseases like pernicious anemia, multiple sclerosis (MS), and diabetes may result in permanent nerve cell damage.
Optic neuritis (demyelinating optic neuritis) is irritation of the optic nerves that occurs when myelin is damaged or completely lost.
Vision symptoms from optic neuritis can include blurring and blind spots. You also may notice distorted vision, reduced color vision and pain when you move your eyes. These types of symptoms may precede vision loss due to optic neuritis.
Symptoms of optic neuritis include:
- Temporary vision loss in one eye
- Altered sensitivity to light
- Partial color blindness
- Painful eye movements
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Movement Disorders- How They Relate
Vitamin B12 and myelin
Vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients for your nervous system, as it helps to maintain the myelin coating that protects your nerve cells. Insufficient vitamin B12 causes a slow erosion of myelin, as evidenced by delayed or malfunctioning nervous impulses.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms often include:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Eye twitching
- Painful tingling or numbness (pins and needles) in your hands and feet
- Sore, red tongue
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Sore muscles
- Weakness
- Breathlessness
- Heart palpitations
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Memory problems
- Poor concentration
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhea
Eye problems with B12 deficiency
In addition to optic neuritis, other vision problems that may be related to vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Blurred vision
- Partial blindness
- Tunnel vision (peripheral vision loss)
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Oculomotor nerve palsy
- Nystagmus
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Please tell us…
Do you have vitamin B12 deficiency, including vision problems that you didn’t realize were related?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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Read more about B12 deficiency symptoms:
Undetected Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Why is B12 off the Radar?
Painful Tingling in Hands and Feet- What’s Up with That?
Sources:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Vision
B12 Deficiency affects your vision and eyesight
Images: amyelyse, sufur, Jeroen van Oostrom