Eye floaters are small specks or cobweb-like patches that drift across your field of vision. While annoying, eye floaters are very common and usually aren’t cause for concern. However, some people wonder if eye floaters can be caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
What are eye floaters?
Eye floaters occur when tiny clumps of protein or other debris form in the vitreous humour, the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and retina at the back of your eye. These tiny clumps cast shadows on your retina, appearing as spots that seem to drift through your field of vision when you move your eyes.
Eye floaters are incredibly common and become even more prevalent with age. By age 50, about half of people have eye floaters. By age 75, that number jumps to about 75%. While annoying, regular eye floaters are harmless and don’t require treatment.
What causes eye floaters?
There are a few common causes of eye floaters:
- Age-related changes: As you age, the vitreous humour in your eyes becomes more liquid. This allows debris and protein strands to move around more freely and cast distinct shadows.
- Posterior vitreous detachment: The vitreous humour normally has a firm attachment to your retina. As you age, the vitreous may pull away from the retina, allowing clumps of protein to float freely.
- Injury: Trauma to your eye can cause bleeding inside the eye that leads to debris and subsequent floaters.
- Inflammation: Eye inflammation can sometimes result in protein leakage into the vitreous humour, causing floaters.
In most cases, eye floaters are not a major cause for concern and are simply an annoyance. However, there are some more serious causes of new eye floaters that warrant an urgent eye exam:
- Retinal tear
- Retinal detachment
- Bleeding inside the eye
- Inflammation inside the eye
- Eye infection
Any sudden increase in eye floaters, especially if accompanied by light flashes or loss of peripheral vision, could indicate a retinal detachment and requires immediate medical attention.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This is the hinge joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. There are two TMJ joints, one on either side of your head, that allow your jaw to move up and down and side to side.
TMJ dysfunction or TMD refers to a variety of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joints and muscles used for chewing. Symptoms of TMD include:
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when opening or closing the mouth
- Locking of the jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth wide
- Pain or swelling on the sides of the face
TMD often occurs due to injury or stress to the jaw area. Grinding or clenching your teeth, arthritis, and jaw trauma can all contribute to TMD.
Can TMJ cause eye floaters?
There is no evidence that TMJ or TMD directly causes eye floaters. Eye floaters originate within the eye itself and have no connection to the temporomandibular joints.
However, some people with TMJ dysfunction do report an increase in eye floaters. There are a few possible explanations for this:
- Stress hormones: Chronic pain from TMJ may increase stress hormones like cortisol. Stress and cortisol changes may potentially impact floaters.
- Headaches: TMD frequently causes headaches, which themselves may increase floaters.
- Tooth grinding: Grinding associated with TMJ can potentially place pressure on blood vessels in the eye.
- Coincidence: Many people with TMJ dysfunction are older adults who are likely to have age-related eye floaters anyway.
Overall, there is no direct anatomical connection between TMJ issues and eye floaters. Any association is likely indirect. However, those with TMJ dysfunction that experience new eye floaters should still have an urgent eye exam to rule out serious causes like retinal tears.
Treatments for eye floaters
In most cases, no treatment is needed for regular age-related eye floaters. They tend to fade and become less bothersome over time as your brain learns to ignore them. However, if eye floaters are particularly bothersome, some treatment options include:
- Vitrectomy: This outpatient surgery involves removing the vitreous gel and replacing it with a saltwater solution. This helps remove debris causing floaters.
- Laser vitreolysis: A laser is used to target large eye floaters and break them up into smaller, less noticeable pieces.
- Medications: While no medications specifically treat eye floaters, some eyedrops may help reduce inflammation that worsens floaters.
- Lifestyle changes: Eating lots of antioxidants, exercising, staying hydrated, and giving up smoking may help some people perceive their floaters as less bothersome.
Speak to an ophthalmologist about potential risks and benefits if you are considering treatments for troublesome eye floaters.
When to see a doctor
You should have an urgent comprehensive eye exam if you experience:
- Sudden increase in eye floaters
- New eye floaters accompanied by light flashes
- Curtain or shadow over any part of your vision
- Blurry vision or other vision changes
These can indicate a retinal tear, retinal detachment, or other condition requiring immediate treatment.
Treatments for TMJ dysfunction
Treatments for TMD aim to relieve pain, improve function, and prevent complications. Options may include:
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen help relieve jaw pain and inflammation.
- Night guard: Wearing a mouthguard prevents teeth grinding during sleep, which relieves muscle strain.
- Physical therapy: Stretching exercises and other PT can strengthen jaw muscles and improve function.
- Relaxation techniques: Reducing stress and avoiding teeth clenching/grinding can give jaw muscles a rest.
- Surgery: Surgeries like arthroscopy or disc repositioning are sometimes used for severe TMD cases.
Seeing a dentist is recommended to explore options tailored to your specific TMJ dysfunction.
When to see a dentist
See your dentist right away if you experience:
- Sudden severe jaw pain
- Jaw locking that prevents you from closing your mouth
- Swollen jaw that makes opening your mouth difficult
- Jaw clicking or popping that won’t go away
You should also see a dentist if TMD symptoms like jaw pain and headaches persist beyond a few weeks and don’t improve with self-care measures.
Conclusion
There is no direct link between TMJ dysfunction and eye floaters. While some people with TMD report increased floaters, this is likely due to indirect factors like headaches or coincidence. There is no anatomical mechanism by which TMJ issues could directly cause debris within the eye itself.
However, anyone experiencing new eye symptoms should still see their doctor for a full eye exam to rule out more serious causes. And those with persistent TMJ symptoms should see their dentist to explore treatment options for improving their jaw health and function.
With proper treatment, bothersome TMJ symptoms and age-related eye floaters can be effectively managed in most people. But it’s important not to ignore new vision changes or jaw pain that persists and worsens over time.
| Eye floaters | TMJ dysfunction |
|---|---|
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Key points to remember
- There is no direct anatomical link between TMJ dysfunction and eye floaters.
- Stress, headaches, and other indirect factors may cause some people with TMD to notice their eye floaters more.
- New onset of eye floaters, especially with other symptoms, warrants an urgent eye exam.
- Persistent, worsening TMJ pain also deserves medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- With appropriate treatment, bothersome TMJ symptoms and regular eye floaters can be successfully managed.
In summary, TMJ does not directly cause eye floaters, but addressing any TMD issues and having vision changes evaluated is important. With a thorough evaluation and proper treatment when needed, both TMJ dysfunction and common eye floaters can be treated for best comfort and function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can TMJ syndrome cause vision problems?
No, TMJ syndrome itself does not directly cause vision problems like blurry vision or floaters. However, chronic pain and inflammation from TMJ dysfunction may sometimes contribute to ocular headaches that temporarily affect vision.
Can eye floaters be related to sinus problems?
No, eye floaters themselves are not related to sinus problems. However, sinus issues sometimes produce pressure and headaches that make people more aware of preexisting eye floaters.
Are eye floaters a sign of retinal detachment?
Not usually. Small regular eye floaters are harmless. But a sudden increase in eye floaters, especially when accompanied by light flashes or vision loss, can indicate a retinal tear or detachment and requires urgent evaluation.
What vitamin deficiency causes eye floaters?
No vitamin deficiency is known to directly cause eye floaters. However, some vitamins like vitamin C may help keep eyes healthy. Eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help minimize floaters for some people.
Can anxiety cause eye floaters?
Anxiety itself does not cause new eye floaters. But stress and anxiety can sometimes make people more aware of floaters already present in their eyes. Relaxation and anti-anxiety strategies may help reduce focus on them.
Can allergies cause eye floaters?
No, allergies do not directly cause vitreous debris that lead to eye floaters. However, allergy symptoms like sinus pressure, headaches, and eye rubbing can potentially exacerbate floaters already present.
Can neck problems cause eye floaters?
No, neck issues do not directly cause eye floaters, which originate in the eye itself. But chronic neck tension and cervicogenic headaches could potentially make you more aware of preexisting floaters in your vision.
What foods are good for eye floaters?
While no foods can get rid of existing floaters, some foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins like citrus fruits, leafy greens, fish, and berries may help maintain eye health and minimize worsening of floaters.
Can floaters go away without surgery?
Yes, small regular floaters often gradually fade over time without treatment as the brain learns to ignore them. Lifestyle measures like exercise, hydration, proper vitamins, and avoiding smoking may help speed this process for some people.
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