Your mental health can affect more than just your feelings and ability to think clearly. It can influence your overall well-being as well. When you’re stressed or have a mental health issue, you could become more prone to chronic diseases. Stress can also impact your eyes and vision. Read on to learn more.
Stress and Eye Health
Stress is a normal physiological response to perceived threats or challenges. It triggers a “fight or flight” response, preparing the body for immediate action. Your heart rate increases, your muscles tense and your senses sharpen. In the short term, these responses can cause your pupils to dilate. They can improve your ability to take in information and react quickly. However, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on your eye health.
What Can Stress Do to Your Eyes?
Dry Eyes
Your eyes’ tear production can decrease when you’re under stress. When this happens, you could experience eye irritation and dryness.
Twitching
Involuntary eye twitching or myokymia can result from stress. While not harmful, it can interfere with daily activities.
Glaucoma
Long-term stress might increase the risk of glaucoma. It is an eye condition that harms the optic nerve and can lead to blindness if not treated early.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. Stress may contribute to its severity and progression.
Vision Loss
In extreme cases, high stress levels can lead to sudden vision loss due to central serous chorioretinopathy. It’s when fluid accumulates under the retina, causing distorted or warped vision.
Compromised Depth Perception
The state of your mental health can impact how you interpret visual information. You may perceive objects as farther or closer than they are or struggle with depth perception.
Poor Color Perception
Individuals with depression may see colors as less vibrant. They might experience a “graying” of the world around them.
Light Sensitivity
Some individuals with anxiety suffer from increased light sensitivity or photophobia. It can cause discomfort in brightly lit environments and difficulty adjusting to changing lighting conditions.
Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good eye health and optimal vision. They let optometrists detect vision changes early on and provide necessary interventions. Eyes on Norbeck is here to care for your sight and eye health. Call us at (301) 238-7199 or complete our online form to make an appointment. We assist patients in Potomac, MD, and nearby communities.
