Fixated on going blind due to this habit of mine.

[lscmich]

I am now 21 but have developed a huge fear of going blind in the future. During my younger days probably 13 14 years old I used to sneak my iphone in bed (in pitch dark!!) and play games before i go to bed.

So here I am, worried sick everyday and have been living in intense regrets since. I have no one to blame but myself if I go blind one day due to glaucoma or macular degeneration or other eye diseases. All I do is beat myself up and overthink and think till i can't sleep or function properly even though my eyesight is fine right now.

I've been to the ophthalmologist at least 3 times in the past few years just to reassure my fears, but still I can't help but to think that I'll go blind soon, maybe in a few years and it takes the life out of me now, I can’t seem to enjoy life anymore. I want to gain my motivation back, I want to fight this and live life at the moment but I can't as I am obsessed with this thought and haunted with deep regrets every single second.

 

[Rinka]

Hi @lscmich don’t worry about playing games in the dark on your phone making you blind. It’s an urban myth that parents tend to tell their kids, if it’s reading books with a flashlight or playing on your phone in the dark. The worst that can happen is that you get headache because you strained your eyes, but it doesn’t have any long term effects. The thing with glaucoma and the other diseases is that they don’t appear over night. The optician and your optometrist are able to detect them in an early stage. Have eye tests at least once a year to help you ease your mind and if it should happen detect any illness early so that they can be treated.

 

[Kelculator]

It seems like that you have a lot of fear towards going blind or diseases regarding your eyes, comparing to other stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong. Because of this, you can try to remind yourself, constantly, that the fear of going blind seems very justified and that it seems very possible, because you have an irrational fear towards it. We all have equal chances of going blind here. Since this is your fear, your brain magnified the possibility of it and made you worry too much. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and we are here to help and reassure you.

 

[Kaynil]

What is done is done. You gotta focus on the right now. You said you have been visiting the optometrist regularly and that your eyesight right now is fine.

I pretty much agree with @Rinka and encourage you to take those words on board. It is an urban myth. Just take care of your eyes, protect them if you are doing intense jobs like chopping wood and keep going every few years to your optometrist. Even if you were at some point diagnosed it, it would be early enough for them to prevent it from causing major damage to your vision.

However, if it helps, keep on doing things to help you ease your mind about you doing your part. I read somewhere that doing exercise regularly (as long you keep on it) can help to minimise chances. Also use your peripheral vision a bit every day.

Really though, so long you visit your optometrist at least every two years you should be fine.

 

[Claraviolet]

Honestly, I am afraid of getting eyesight issues too. It's difficult to imagine ...not being able to see the world. It's a common fear and is present in everyone. Only some people express that where as others try to hide it.

I am a software engineer and I have to sit in front of a computer for hours! I always forget my anti-glare glasses. So, I am always worried about my eyes. Here are the things that I do to ease my mind. May be they can help you as well.

1. Intake of carrots(eat them. Or you could even take juice. They are good for your eyes)
2. Try to close your eyes for a 2-3 minutes after an hour or so.
3. Do not use more brightness for the electronic devices that you use.
4. Try to get check-ups just to ease your mind of course
Hope this helps you a little