Can nearsightedness affect vision and depth perception?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 64-year-old woman, and I take Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Cymbalta, Lithium, Levothyroxine, Buprenorphine (opioid), and Quetiapine. My vision is very poor. On my last eye exam, it showed -10.5. I am nearsighted and also have a scar across my left cornea from a serious infection. I only drive in town.

Recently, my mother took me out of town for a doctor’s appointment. At one point on the highway, I panicked because it looked like she was about to hit the truck before us. I was wrong, but it felt very real at the time. Could this be because of poor depth perception?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes, your depth perception could be affected, and that might explain why you felt panicked on the highway even if the car was not too close.

There are several possible reasons for your depth perception problems. First, your severe nearsightedness (–10.5) means that objects far away will appear very blurry without strong glasses. Even with proper correction, judging distances, especially at high speeds, can still be difficult. Second, the scar on your cornea affects how one of your eyes can focus. Since the brain relies on input from both eyes to calculate depth, differences in vision between the two eyes can make it harder to tell how far away things are. Third, natural age-related changes can also impact vision. As we get older, the lenses in our eyes become less flexible, and conditions like cataracts or changes in the retina can further affect clarity and sharpness.

In addition, some of the medications you take may influence how you see them. For example, Seroquel (Quetiapine) can cause blurry or distorted vision. Lithium, in rare cases, may affect eye muscles or cause vision problems if taken in high doses. Duloxetine may also cause issues like trouble focusing or light sensitivity. While these medications might not directly damage depth perception, they can slow down how your brain processes what you see, especially during fast movement or stressful moments, like driving on the highway.

There are steps you can take to help.

You should visit an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for a full vision exam and a depth perception test. You might need updated glasses or special lenses called prism lenses.
It is also a good idea to check for cataracts or retinal problems, which are common after age 60. When it comes to driving, only do so when you feel safe and confident.
You are already being cautious, which is wise, and it is perfectly okay to ask someone else to drive for longer trips.
Some people benefit from special mirrors or low-vision driving aids, which your eye doctor can recommend.
Finally, speak with your psychiatrist about your vision concerns, so they can make sure none of your medications are causing or worsening the problem. They might be able to adjust your dosage if needed.

In summary, your depth perception is likely being affected by your vision issues, particularly your strong nearsightedness and the scar on your cornea. Your medications might also be playing a small role. You are not imagining these difficulties, and getting your eyes checked can help you feel safer and more in control.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.