Stress and the Eyes: The Surprising Connection

Is there a connection between the level of stress a person experiences, and the eyes? All indications are that yes, there is. When we feel stressed, our body releases cortisol and adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormones. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, high levels of these hormones, either for short or longer periods, can cause changes to our vision and even our eye health.

When we’re stressed or anxious, here are some of the ways this affects our eyes:

• Transient Elevation In Eye Pressure. Studies suggest there is a small, transient increase in intraocular pressure after a stressful situation. This could be a concern for patients with glaucoma.
• Light Sensitivity. Spasms in the eyelids are a common reaction to stress, one that’s made worse by caffeine and lack of restful sleep.
• Eyelid Twitching. Spasms in the eyelids are a common reaction to stress, one that’s made worse by caffeine and lack of restful sleep.
• Blurry Vision. There is an association between stress and a retinal condition called central serous chorioretinopathy.
• Eye Strain. Whether this is a result of stress, too much screen time or a combination of factors, it’s important to remember to rest the eyes during waking hours. Follow the “20-20-20” rule: Set a timer for 20 minutes to remind you to shift your gaze to objects at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds or more.
• Tunnel Vision. When you are under stress, the fight-or-flight response may make you only focus on what is right in front of you. More serious psychological and medical conditions can cause constriction of your visual field. If you experience this, you should notify your eye care provider.
• Very Dry or Very Wet Eyes. Either way, this can be a response to stress. We talked about chronic dry eyes in a previous blog, https://atlanticeye.com/2023/07/watch-out-for-chronic-dry-eye/
• Eye Floaters. Stress doesn’t cause the tiny spots you may see floating in your field of vision, but it can increase your awareness of them.

If you struggle with stress or anxiety and experience any of these eye changes regularly, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your Atlantic Eye physician can help you relieve uncomfortable eye symptoms and treat any underlying conditions before they get worse.