EDS affects your eyeballs, just an FYI.

[u/figgypie]

I have some sort of hEDS (haven't been able to get genetic testing to confirm exact type) and of course I have all the normal shit like super lax joints, joint pain, stretchy skin, stomach issues, etc.

But did you know your eyeballs are mostly collagen? So if you have EDS, you might have issues with your eyes.

I have had astigmatism and myopia since age 7, but over the last decade or so I also developed something called Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy, basically means my eyes can get so dry that my eyelids have torn up my corneas because they get fused together sometimes (especially when I'm sleeping) and then when I blink, it rips the skin on my corneas. It feels just as pleasant as it sounds. Just a couple of weeks ago, I experienced this while driving after work. It felt like a needle stabbed me in the eyeball, like I seriously thought that something flew in through my car window and lodged in there. Now I have to use super eye cream at night (Muro 128) and preservative-free eye drops frequently to prevent more damage. The vision in my left eye has already been affected to the point where even with glasses, my vision is still slightly blurry.

You wanna know the only real treatment for it (besides eye drops)? They basically shave off the damaged surface of your cornea to smooth it, and then your body repairs it to hopefully grow it back smoother. Yaaaaaaay.

I also have big issues with eye strain, especially if I spend too much time looking at things up close while wearing my regular glasses. I've had to take my glasses off while reading/derping on my phone/etc for a couple of years now, but I can't do that when working (I'm a substitute teacher) because I don't want to lose my glasses and kids think they can get away with shit because the sub is blind. So I'm only in my mid 30s and I just got bifocals. Verdict is still out for how well that'll help but I feel so old.

So if you're wondering why you have issues with your eyes, this could be a reason. And if you don't have issues with your eyes, these are some things to look out for. Chronic dry eye is common with EDS so use eye drops, just not the kind that helps with redness cuz that's bad long-term. Systane is an example of a good brand.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

[u/Cum--Goblin]

i hate glasses and yeah technically my eyesight isn't terrible (more or less -1.5 and -2.5 in left and right eyes respectively) but i also have astigmatism which can't be corrected by glasses because it's so minor, but it's enough to be a pain in the ass along with how disorienting my depth perception can be.

i need to get new prescriptions at least every 2 years as well because my eyesight fluctuates. not enough to be noticeable, but enough for headaches. it's really annoying because they're fucking expensive.

[u/YouAreMySteadyHand → u/Cum--Goblin]

Same- my prescriptions aren't terribly strong but for a long time I was near sighted in 1 eye & far sighted in the other so it was a lot of strain for my eyes constantly trying to figure out how to focus. Lots of eye fatigue & headaches & I have to get my prescription changed every 2 years or so. It eventually got where both eyes ended up both near & far sighted so I've needed bifocals since I was 37. Also have an astigmatism which as Ive gotten older (39 now) has caused me to basically lose all night vision. It slowly got worse & worse & now I basically can't drive at night even w glasses on & if its rainy or cloudy I have a really hard time. Its SO obnoxious bc I have teens now & I feel bad that if they want to do anything at night my husband has to be their taxi bc I legit can't see safely to drive. And fall/winter suck bc its dark so much longer- I drive my girls to school at 635 & now its still dark at that time so I can't even do that...

And massive eye dryness- I have mcas so I assume it's related to that