Stress is a negative body reaction or feeling of tension that can be emotional or physical. It usually comes from negative thoughts or experiences. Over time, stress can harm a person’s health, especially if the main stressor is never identified.
Stress can be good in small amounts and for a short duration. For example, it can help you avoid danger or react to a life-threatening situation, such as braking to avoid a car accident. Another example is people who perform better at their jobs when under pressure. These periods of stress are usually short-lived.
Chronic stress is the kind that is present for a long time, usually lasting for months or years, especially if you get used to its presence and forget that it is a problem. Today there are so many factors that can cause us stress: finances, work, marriage, politics, the news, and more.
How does stress affect the eyes?
Emotional stress does not cause blurred vision, but it can affect eye function. The nervous tic that occurs in the eyelids is strictly linked to stress and anxiety.
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which puts your brain on alert, causes tension in your muscles, and increases your heart and breathing rate. Stress puts your body at risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, anxiety, heart failure, and visual, menstrual, digestive and skin problems.
Symptoms of too much stress
- Tiredness
- Weight loss or gain
- Eye and vision discomfort
- Poor memory
- Difficulty paying attention and staying focused
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Sexual problems
- Stiff neck
- Insomnia
- Heavy use of alcohol and drugs to relax
Stress and anxiety are linked with visual disturbances. Recent research concludes that, so far, stress can be both the cause and the consequence of various visual problems. In fact, stress and anxiety can also trigger the reactivation of ocular toxoplasmosis.
Cortisol has a negative impact on the eye and brain due to autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system imbalance and vascular dysregulation. Stress has the potential to cause optic neuropathies, trembling of the eyelids, and damage to the retina, optic nerve, and macula.
In general, visual problems related to stress or anxiety are not serious; they are usually temporary and resolve spontaneously. Even so, ophthalmologists recommend not overlooking these symptoms and visiting a specialist to rule out any eye condition that may be masked by stress and to avoid future eye problems.
Take care of your vision in Roatán
If stress is affecting your eyes or your vision, book an eye exam at our Dr. Reichmann clinic in Roatán. Learn more about our eye care services in Roatán.
You may also be interested in how to prevent dry eyes and in learning about eye mobility disorders.