Can TMJ Issues Really Impact Your Eyes?
If you've been struggling with blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye strain, or pain behind your eyes, but eye exams show nothing wrong, your jaw might be causing the problems.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is most commonly linked to jaw pain, headaches, and neck tension, but many people don’t realise it can also trigger eye problems. The reason? The jaw and eyes are deeply connected through nerves, muscles, and skeletal structures.
Let’s discuss how TMD can affect your eyes—and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
What is TMD?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge connecting your lower jaw to your skull, allowing you to chew, speak, and yawn.
When this joint is irritated or misaligned, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including:
✔ Jaw pain and clicking
✔ Headaches and migraines
✔ Ear pain or ringing (tinnitus)
✔ Neck stiffness
✔ Eye-related symptoms like blurred vision or pressure behind the eyes
Common causes of TMJD include:
🔹 Jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism)
🔹 Bite misalignment (malocclusion)
🔹 Stress and muscle tension
🔹 Postural issues (like forward head posture)
🔹 Injury or trauma to the jaw
If you have persistent eye symptoms and TMJ discomfort, they could be more connected than you think.
The Jaw-Eye Connection: Why TMJD Affects Vision
The Trigeminal Nerve: A Shared Pathway
The trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) is a powerful nerve responsible for facial sensations, including jaw, cheeks, forehead, and eyes. It has three main branches:
🔹 Ophthalmic branch (V1) – Affects the forehead, eyes, and upper face.
🔹 Maxillary branch (V2) – Influences the upper jaw and sinuses.
🔹 Mandibular branch (V3) – Controls the lower jaw and chewing muscles.
When TMJD causes inflammation or muscle tension, the trigeminal nerve can become irritated, leading to:➡ Blurred vision➡ Eye floaters➡ Light sensitivity➡ Pressure or aching behind the eyes➡ Involuntary eye twitching (myokymia)
The Sphenoid Bone: A Key Player in Eye Function
The sphenoid bone sits at the base of your skull and plays an important role in eye movement and stability. It also interacts with the jaw muscles, especially the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles.
If TMD leads to chronic muscle tightness, joint dysfunction, or postural imbalances, it can possibly:
⚠ Alter the positioning of the sphenoid bone
⚠ Put pressure on the ophthalmic nerve
⚠ Affect eye alignment and coordination
⚠ Cause visual disturbances like double vision or eye strain
Muscle Tension and the Pain-Spasm Cycle
The lateral pterygoid muscle, often called the "troublemaker muscle" in TMJD, connects directly to the TMJ and eye socket area. When it becomes tight or overworked, it can trigger:
🔸 Pain behind the eyes
🔸 Difficulty focusing
🔸 Increased eye fatigue
This is why some TMD sufferers experience temporary vision problems that improve with jaw treatment.
How to Treat TMD-Related Vision Problems
1. At-Home Remedies
🟢 Apply warm compresses to relax jaw muscles.
🟢 Practice gentle jaw and neck stretches.
🟢 Avoid excessive chewing (e.g., gum, tough foods).
🟢 Improve posture (especially if you work at a desk).
2. Professional Treatment Options
💠 Dental Orthotics (Mouthguards) – Help correct bite alignment and reduce jaw tension.
💠Physiotherapy including:
Myofascial Release Therapy – Relieves tight muscles and nerve compression.
Dry Needling & Acupuncture – Target trigger points causing pain and visual disturbances.
Manual therapy and therapeutic exercises – Improves postural alignment and jaw mobility.
💠 Botox for TMD – In severe cases, Botox can relax overactive jaw muscles.
3. When to See a Doctor
🚨 If blurred vision persists despite TMD treatment If you experience flashes of light, which may indicate a retinal issue🚨 If eye pain worsens and isn’t relieved by jaw therapy
Find Relief from TMD & Vision Problems
TMD is more than just a jaw issue—it can directly impact your vision due to its close relationship with the trigeminal nerve, sphenoid bone, and surrounding muscles.
If you’re experiencing unexplained eye symptoms along with jaw pain, headaches, or neck tension, you don’t have to suffer in silence. TMD treatment can help!
At Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon Coghlan, we take a hands-on, holistic approach to TMD care, using manual therapy, dry needling, laser therapy, and personalised treatment plans.
📍 Visit us at: Suite 2, 24-26 Gloucester Road, Buderim, 4556📞 Call us: 07 3532 8605💻 Book online: Click here to schedule your appointment
By Simon
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