Stress and nervous tension are great evils of our time. So much so that stress appears as the primary or aggravating cause of several serious pathologies: hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes and stroke.
In short, although it is a known risk factor, its role in the development or progression of certain disorders of the visual system has generally not been well defined. However, research carried out to date concludes that stress can be considered both a cause and a consequence of many visual problems.
Stress, cause or consequence of visual problems?
On the one hand, continuous stress and elevated cortisol levels have a negative impact on the eye and brain due to the imbalance of the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system and vascular dysregulation. In this way, stress can be considered one of the main causes of diseases of the visual system, such as glaucoma and optic neuropathy.
Loss of vision after damage to the retina, the optic nerve or a brain area involved in vision often has serious consequences in the patient’s daily life, which goes from seeing well to having problems recognizing faces, difficulty or inability to read, identify labels, handle money.
Likewise, the fact that these vision losses are often progressive and irreversible, causes those affected to enter a vicious circle marked by stress, anxiety and depressive states, a condition that is aggravated by social isolation, deterioration of personal relationships or quality of life.
In any case, according to specialists, emotional stress itself does not affect visual function, but there are emotional factors that do affect ocular function, such as the secretion of tears or the trembling of the eyelids, for example.
Likewise, certain situations of prolonged nervous tension or recurrent anxiety alter parameters related to visual function, these are blood pressure, vascular pathologies and blinking, which can cause blurred vision, low vision or temporary loss of sight.
Visual problems associated with stress
Myokymias. Or what is the same, tics or involuntary tremors in the eyes. They usually appear on the lower eyelid, although they can affect any muscle fiber located in the periorbital area. They are clearly associated with stress, nervous tension, and lack of sleep, as well as excessive consumption of caffeine and stimulants. With adequate rest and massages in the area, they usually disappear quickly and without sequelae.
Visual fatigue. It is also known as visual stress or asthenopia. It usually arises after spending many hours staring at computer, tablet or mobile phone screens. It causes headaches, trouble focusing, and trouble reading. In addition, it is accompanied by general tiredness, blurred vision or double vision. This disorder is mitigated by controlling the time of exposure to the screens, taking breaks and trying to work in good lighting conditions.
Blepharitis. It is an inflammation of the eyelids associated with environmental dryness. It is common in people who spend many hours in closed rooms with artificial air conditioning. It causes itchiness, a gritty sensation in the eye, redness of the ocular surface and blurred vision. It is treated by lubricating the eye with artificial tears.
Central serous chorioretinopathy. This is perhaps the most severe visual disorder directly associated with stress, although it is a problem that can also be triggered by hormonal factors. In any case, it is characterized by the inflammation of the vessels that irrigate the eye and their loss of impermeability. There is a leakage of fluid (blood plasma) that occupies the space between the retina and the layer below it: the choroid. This filtration affects the function of the macula, a tiny area of the retina, but of great importance to see clearly.
Central serous maculopathy causes a sharp reduction in vision in one or both eyes, vision of a dark spot that makes it difficult to read or appreciate the details or the edges of the objects we are looking at. It disappears on its own as the stress situation is resolved in the vast majority of patients, but occasionally it becomes chronic and requires treatment with medications, laser, or photodynamic therapy.
Visual problems linked to stress or nervous tension are generally not serious. In addition, they tend to be temporary and resolve spontaneously. However, ophthalmologists recommend not to ignore these symptoms and go to the specialist to rule out ocular pathologies that may be masked under the explanation of stress or to prevent more serious ones from arising from these mild problems.
