My daughter has pressure around her eyes with tunnel vision. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a question regarding my daughter, who has complained about her eyes for three days. I want to make sure it is not an emergency and that I am not under-reacting. Sudden symptoms started three days ago. The on and off complaints of pressure around might be behind the eyes. She says, “it is hard to explain” day one had some nausea. “She said that “it is hard to focus, sorta tunnel vision at times,” says they feel like rolling back a bit like they are tired. No severe pain, no redness, and nausea have been resolved. She had times that she lost focus in the past, but now it feels like something is underneath and around her eyes in the last few days. She took Lamictal 200 mg a day for six months and Topamax 100 mg a day for five months.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to cliniq.com.

Thanks for your query. I understand your concern. The tunnel vision you mentioned indicates that some vascular component is at play. It is not easy to pinpoint an exact diagnosis without examining her eye. The symptoms of generalized eye discomfort could indicate some eyestrain amount if she has an uncorrected refractive error or uses her eyes continuously for reading or on the computer. But the transient tunnel vision is what I am concerned about. Is it in one eye or both? Does she have a history of migraines? I noted the medications she is on, but you have not mentioned why she is on it. One of the uses are indicated for epilepsy. I would suggest you schedule an eye appointment with an eye care specialist so they can examine her retina to see if there is any swelling of her optic discs. If swollen, it could indicate a neurological problem.In the interim, let her give her eyes a rest by avoiding computers, reading, etc. Let her use a lubricating eye drops five times a day until she sees an eye care specialist. I hope this helps.