E3 PreliminaryPreliminaryPEM ?Cross-SectionalPeer-reviewedMachine draft
The ocular signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Caffery, B E, Josephson, J E, Samek, M J · Journal of the American Optometric Association · 1994
Quick Summary
This study looked at eye problems in 25 people with ME/CFS and found that all of them experienced some eye-related symptoms. The most common issues were problems with tears and the eye's surface, as well as difficulty focusing on close objects. Eye doctors should be aware of these issues when examining ME/CFS patients.
Why It Matters
This is one of the first studies to systematically document eye problems in ME/CFS patients, revealing that ocular symptoms are nearly universal in this population. Recognizing these findings helps eye care providers better serve ME/CFS patients and may provide clues about the underlying biological mechanisms of the disease.
Observed Findings
- 100% of patients (25/25) reported significant ocular symptoms
- 76% of patients (19/25) had abnormalities of the preocular tear film and ocular surface
- 72% of patients (18/25) showed reduced accommodation for their age
- Ocular system involvement appears to be a multifaceted manifestation of CFS
Inferred Conclusions
- Ocular involvement is highly prevalent in CFS and should be routinely assessed by eye care practitioners
- Tear film dysfunction and reduced accommodation are key features to monitor in CFS patients
- Further investigation of ocular pathophysiology in CFS may illuminate broader disease mechanisms
Remaining Questions
- Are ocular findings present in ME/CFS patients more frequently than in healthy controls or other chronic diseases?
- What is the underlying mechanism causing tear film dysfunction and accommodative changes in ME/CFS?
- Do ocular symptoms correlate with disease severity or other systemic manifestations of ME/CFS?
- Are these ocular findings reversible or do they persist over time?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study does not establish whether ocular problems are a direct result of ME/CFS pathology or secondary effects of the condition. The lack of a healthy control group prevents comparison of ocular findings in ME/CFS versus the general population. The small sample size and cross-sectional design limit generalizability to all ME/CFS patients.
Tags
Symptom:Sensory Sensitivity
Method Flag:Weak Case DefinitionNo ControlsSmall SampleExploratory Only
Metadata
- PMID
- 8201170
- Review status
- Machine draft
- Evidence level
- Early hypothesis, preprint, editorial, or weak support
- Last updated
- 8 April 2026