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Does Hepatitis C Cause Pressure In Eyes?
Question: I have noticed in the past month or so that when I look sideways without moving my head (like when the optometrist asks you to follow a light using only your eyes) it is very uncomfortable and feels almost like a pressure on my eyes. The only thing I can compare it to is having a high fever (102, 103) and getting that same sensation when moving eyes sideways. I have had hepatitis for over 30 years and recently lost 20 pounds in past 6 months without trying. I am about to start a regimen through the XXXXXXX Clinic which will cure the hepatitis C. I am wondering if the uncomfortable sensation with my eyes is related to hep C at all. If not, what are the possibilities?
Brief Answer:
Possibly it is strain of eye muscles.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for posting your query at HealthcareMagic!
I had gone through your query in details.
In my opinion this pressure/pain sensation when you move your eyes sideways has nothing to do with Hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C doesn't cause any kind of eye problems and symptoms.
The most common cause of this type of pain, especially if it is occurring in both eye, is simply strain of the eye muscles.
This is more likely to be the cause if you work at a computer screen major part of day or perform other task that require careful use of eyes (reading ,writing ,watching TV etc).
It is possible that you might have a minor vision problem that has been unnoticed.
In this case you may need to wear glasses to correct eye muscle strain.
In very rare cases ,eye pressure like this can have a more serious cause like Thyroid disease, but in these cases you would have additional symptoms including redness of eyes,blurry vision,difficulty moving the eyes,change in the appearance of the eyes (usually staring or bulging eyes).
In my opinion you need a complete evaluation of your eyes from a specialist (eye doctor).
I suggest to consult an Optician and get examined.
Meanwhile I suggest to rest your eyes ,stay away from computer screen and TV for some days to see if it helps.
If after examining your eyes ,the optician exclude any kind of eye problems ,then you might need to test your thyroid function.
Hope my answer has helped.
Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Possibly it is strain of eye muscles.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for posting your query at HealthcareMagic!
I had gone through your query in details.
In my opinion this pressure/pain sensation when you move your eyes sideways has nothing to do with Hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C doesn't cause any kind of eye problems and symptoms.
The most common cause of this type of pain, especially if it is occurring in both eye, is simply strain of the eye muscles.
This is more likely to be the cause if you work at a computer screen major part of day or perform other task that require careful use of eyes (reading ,writing ,watching TV etc).
It is possible that you might have a minor vision problem that has been unnoticed.
In this case you may need to wear glasses to correct eye muscle strain.
In very rare cases ,eye pressure like this can have a more serious cause like Thyroid disease, but in these cases you would have additional symptoms including redness of eyes,blurry vision,difficulty moving the eyes,change in the appearance of the eyes (usually staring or bulging eyes).
In my opinion you need a complete evaluation of your eyes from a specialist (eye doctor).
I suggest to consult an Optician and get examined.
Meanwhile I suggest to rest your eyes ,stay away from computer screen and TV for some days to see if it helps.
If after examining your eyes ,the optician exclude any kind of eye problems ,then you might need to test your thyroid function.
Hope my answer has helped.
Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer, it is very reassuring. In my early 20's I had a retinal hole which was repaired with laser surgery about 10 minutes after it was diagnosed. Recently I was seeing some flashing lights (no longer an issue) and went to the eye doctor who dilated my pupils and examined them. So I think I'm fine there.
I take levoxthyrine (synthroid?)and I'm really not sure if its Hypo or Hyper thyroidism. Would I need to have a change in my treatment for thyroid? I think the most likely cause is what you said about eyestrain since I am on the computer a lot and often go way too late into the night sometimes falling asleep at the computer. I will try what you suggested in terms of getting off the computer and TV for awhile and see if there is a change. I could get more sleep also because I average about 5 or 6 hours and I often take a nap during the day. How much could poor sleep hygiene be a factor in what I'm feeling in my eyes?
I take levoxthyrine (synthroid?)and I'm really not sure if its Hypo or Hyper thyroidism. Would I need to have a change in my treatment for thyroid? I think the most likely cause is what you said about eyestrain since I am on the computer a lot and often go way too late into the night sometimes falling asleep at the computer. I will try what you suggested in terms of getting off the computer and TV for awhile and see if there is a change. I could get more sleep also because I average about 5 or 6 hours and I often take a nap during the day. How much could poor sleep hygiene be a factor in what I'm feeling in my eyes?
Brief Answer:
Most likely is eye muscle strain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Hope you are doing better.
I sincerely apologize for the delay in answering your follow-up query.
From the details you have given above (staying a lot in front of a computer screen,watching too much TV, sleeping too late ) it is highly likely that your pressure feeling when you move your eyes it is due to eye muscle strain.
Since you are taking Levothyroxine ,you have Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid).
It is possible that hypothyroidism cause pain when moving the eyes but it is not the first option in your case.
In my opinion the causes of your symptoms are your bad habits (sleeping too late,staying for prolonged hours in front of computer and TV).
Sleeping well is a very important factor for our health.Usually if you don't sleep enough you may feel a burning sensation in your eyes.
I would strongly suggest to do some lifestyle modifications and see what happens:
-Sleep at least 7 hours at night
-Don't use computer for some days or at least don't stay in front of it more than 1 -2 hours a day.
-Rest a lot
-Eat healthy (mostly green vegetables) and drink plenty of water.
If you follow all my advises and after 1-2 weeks this eye pain is still the same ,then you may need to consult an optician.
You also may need to test your thyroid function (FT3,FT4,TSH).
If FT3,FT4 is too low and TSH is too high your doctor XXXXXXX increase the dosage of Levothyroxine that you are taking.
I sincerely hope this helps.
Take care!
Dr.Rovena
Most likely is eye muscle strain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Hope you are doing better.
I sincerely apologize for the delay in answering your follow-up query.
From the details you have given above (staying a lot in front of a computer screen,watching too much TV, sleeping too late ) it is highly likely that your pressure feeling when you move your eyes it is due to eye muscle strain.
Since you are taking Levothyroxine ,you have Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid).
It is possible that hypothyroidism cause pain when moving the eyes but it is not the first option in your case.
In my opinion the causes of your symptoms are your bad habits (sleeping too late,staying for prolonged hours in front of computer and TV).
Sleeping well is a very important factor for our health.Usually if you don't sleep enough you may feel a burning sensation in your eyes.
I would strongly suggest to do some lifestyle modifications and see what happens:
-Sleep at least 7 hours at night
-Don't use computer for some days or at least don't stay in front of it more than 1 -2 hours a day.
-Rest a lot
-Eat healthy (mostly green vegetables) and drink plenty of water.
If you follow all my advises and after 1-2 weeks this eye pain is still the same ,then you may need to consult an optician.
You also may need to test your thyroid function (FT3,FT4,TSH).
If FT3,FT4 is too low and TSH is too high your doctor XXXXXXX increase the dosage of Levothyroxine that you are taking.
I sincerely hope this helps.
Take care!
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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