The concept that stress might cause vision problems and even blindness is not new. It is estimated to date back at least 3,000 years.
Science has progressed significantly since then, but recent research also agrees that mental stress can lead to symptoms of vision loss. People who suffer from stress or anxiety and face any vision problems should arrange a full eye checkup at a nearby eye hospital.
When you are stressed, your eyes experience changes such as increased intraocular pressure (IOP). These changes are usually temporary, but it’s vital to understand how stress might impact your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma or other eye diseases like dry eye.
Continue reading to understand the surprising link between stress and the eyes.
The Link Between Stress and Eye Problems
Recent research has shown a link between stress and vision loss. Stress may both cause and result in eyesight loss. Because of this connection, eye hospitals or eyecare providers are recommended to avoid unnecessary tests on their patients and to focus on stress reduction as a treatment for partial vision loss.
According to a recent study, persistent mental stress can cause visual loss. Continuous stress triggers the body’s fight-or-flight system and releases the stress hormone “cortisol”. High adrenaline and cortisol levels have a harmful impact on the eyes and brain.
From dry eyes and light sensitivity to blurry vision, stress can have a huge impact on your eyesight. Stress hormones can induce inflammation and disrupt blood flow to the eyes which results in several eye issues. Chronic stress can lead to psychogenic blindness and other eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
The Effects of Stress on Vision
Stress has a direct impact on eyesight. Anxiety can lead to a variety of eye and vision issues.
Some common stress-related vision issues are:
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Fogginess
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Sore eye muscles
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Double vision.
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Visual distortion
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Eye strain
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Flashes of light.
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Kaleidoscope vision.
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A feeling of a surreal or dreamlike vision.
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Seeing stars, shimmers, blurs, halos, and shadows.
Individuals can experience stress and anxiety-related eye problems in a variety of ways. Stress-related vision issues may:
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Affects only one eye.
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Affects both eyes.
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Occur frequently
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Occur occasionally
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Happens all the time.
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Precede anxiety or stress-related attacks.
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Switch back and forth between eyes.
Additionally, the stress response has the following consequences on vision:
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Reduced blink rate.
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Dilation of the pupils.
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The field of view is becoming increasingly narrow.
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Tension and increase in blood flow to the ocular muscles.
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Dry eyes or very moist eyes.
Stress and Ocular Surface Disease.
When people with dry eye or other ocular surface illnesses are under a lot of strain, their symptoms may worsen. “Stress can create a feedback loop where exacerbated dry eye creates emotional distress that worsens dry eye.
Stress & Glaucoma
Stress does not induce the most prevalent kind of glaucoma, primary open-angle or wide-angle glaucoma. However, feeling overwhelmed or stressed can deter patients from taking their medications or attending follow-up appointments. It also makes it challenging to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Over time, stress and worry can cause optic nerve injury. Mindfulness meditation, mental health therapy, and other stress-reduction techniques may help mitigate these effects and decrease the course of eye illness.
In the worst-case situation, stress can result in an incident of acute angle-closure glaucoma. If you suddenly experience severe eye discomfort, blurred vision, nausea, or halos around lights, visit an eye hospital immediately.
Best Treatment Options For Stress-Related Eye Problems
You may find innumerable ideas for lowering stress and anxiety online, but top eye surgeons recommend sticking with scientifically established methods. EPMA experts recommend a psychosomatic approach to therapy for patients facing stress-related problems and eyesight loss. In addition to typical vision therapy treatments, focus should be placed on stress reduction and relaxation strategies. These techniques include the following:
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Meditation or Yoga
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Deep Breathing Exercises
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A Walk in Nature
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Regular Exercise
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Adequate Sleep
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Autogenic Training
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Stress Management Techniques
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Practice Mindfulness
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Limit Time on Social Media
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Social support
Include the above stress-relief techniques in your life to avoid any eye problems or vision loss. They may help prevent and slow the course of visual loss.
You should limit your stress exposure to treat the symptoms caused by stress. If you’re having an active stress response, take steps to relax and allow your body to recover from the adrenaline rush. Within 20 minutes, your body should recover and your vision should return to normal.
If your eye problems are caused by chronic stress, you should change your lifestyle and include the above stress-reduction practices. These techniques will protect you from the negative impacts of continual hyperstimulation. In addition to stress-reduction measures, avoid focusing on your symptoms. Sleep more, consume a nutritious diet, and exercise regularly.
When to Visit an Eye Hospital?
You should seek prompt medical attention from your eye doctor if you notice any eye problems such as;
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Blurry vision
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Dry eyes
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Double vision
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Sensitivity to light
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Serious eye pain or discomfort
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Redness or swelling of the eyes
If you encounter any of the symptoms listed above, visit an eye hospital and get a medical assessment and treatment for stress-related eye impairment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress lead to visual difficulties in one eye?
Stress may contribute to disorders that disrupt blood flow to the eye, resulting in visual impairment in one eye.
Can stress create enlargement in the optic nerve?
Stress may induce optic nerve swelling because hormones raise intracranial pressure or pressure within the brain.
What is psychogenic blindness?
The term “psychogenic” refers to a disorder that has a psychological rather than physical basis. Another term for psychogenic blindness is conversion disease. People with conversation disorder may experience visual loss without any sign of actual eye impairment.
Is it possible to get blind due to mental trauma?
Psychological stress can cause blindness. However, it does not generally result in full blindness. You may have a diminished visual function. It does not imply that you are completely blind.
What is Streff’s syndrome?
Streff syndrome is a psychological disease that produces visual impairments such as hazy vision and nearsightedness. It is common among girls aged 6 to 12 who are under emotional stress.
Parting Words
Stress may affect your vision in several ways. It may cause dry eyes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions. If you notice any changes in your vision, visit a nearby eye hospital.
Eye surgeons should engage with patients to alleviate the stress associated with vision difficulties and instead promote optimism about the patient’s capacity to take an active part in their own visual health.
If you don’t feel like you can handle your stress on your own, you could consider seeing a mental health professional. Asking for help might be difficult—but focus on the first step.
