If you suffer from TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, you may think the only body part being affected is your jaw and the surrounding area. Although TMD does affect the joint that connects your jaw to your temporal bones of the skull, it may also be causing some unneeded strain on the eyes. As strange as it sounds, the joint that controls the jaw can cause problems for your eyesight as well because through muscles and nerves, the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is connected to almost everything in the head, neck, and face. This explains why, if you’re a TMD sufferer, you might hear clicking or experience discomfort in the ears. Learn how to identify and reduce vision problems caused by TMD.
Your TMJ is connected to your vision in a number of ways. For instance, many TMD patients experience disturbances in vision through nerve pathways. Along with discomfort and pain, TMD causes headaches which in turn, cause vision problems. Other common complaints associated with TMD-causing vision problems include:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty to read
- Droopy eyelids
- Eye strain
- Floaters, or moving spots in your vision
- Pressure behind the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes
Your TM joints are susceptible to many issues because they are involved in two primary functions of our lives: eating and speaking. As a sufferer of TMD, be careful not to make your situation worse. A response to pain the head, face, or jaw usually leads to repositioning ourselves differently to relieve the pain, but this can have a domino effect and make another area of your body hurt. Avoid causing more stress on your body by avoiding bad habits, such as teeth clenching, poor posture, eating hard foods, and taking large bites of food.
If you are experiencing vision problems, headaches, and/or jaw pain, TMD could be the root cause. Get relief from your TMD-related vision problems with jaw and posture exercises or pain relievers. Contact your doctor if vision impairing continues. If you feel you may be suffering from TMD, see your dentist immediately. To learn more about TMD or to schedule an appointment, call us today!