You have no doubt experienced stress at some point in your life, whether it was due to work, home or family circumstances, in particular with the year that has been. Being overwhelmed by stress can sometimes lead to other health problems, affecting both your physical and mental wellbeing.
When you experience stress, your body will follow a fight or flight response and will react in a number of different ways.
What happens to your vision when you are stressed?
Problems with your eyesight caused by stress are often temporary and will reduce once you are no longer stressed. If this does not happen, you should see your optician to make sure there are no underlying problems with your eyes.
Your pupils naturally dilate when stressed to enhance vision. If you are continually stressed, or experiencing a high stress situation, this could impact your vision. Due to how your body reacts to stressful situations, you may experience one, all, or none of the following symptoms.
Eye strain, while more commonly caused by digital screens, can also occur due to stress. This is because you will often tense your muscles, resulting in headaches and muscular pain. Similarly, eye twitching could be down to tense muscles, as well as lack of sleep which often occur if you are feeling stressed.
The dilation of your pupils for a prolonged period could result in blurred vision and light sensitivity. This is because when your eyes are dilated, they let more light in.
Dry eyes or watery eyes can also sometimes be caused by stress. You may experience one or the other, depending on how your body responds.
How to reduce the effects of stress on your vision
Simply put, the most straightforward way to reduce these symptoms is to reduce your stress levels. While this may be easier said than done, it is important to recognise when you are stressed and what you can do to feel better.
Following a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain good health, so that even when you do feel stressed, the effects might not be too extreme. A healthy lifestyle can also help to promote good eyesight.
Make sure you get enough sleep and follow a healthy diet; consider which vitamins and minerals you should eat to promote good vision. These include omega-3 and lutein, which can be found in fish and dark, leafy greens respectively. Vitamins A, C and E are generally known for maintaining healthy eyes.
If you often use a computer screen for work, this may exacerbate your symptoms of stress. It is key that you take regular breaks from your screen to give your eyes time to rest. If you require glasses for screens, remember to wear them!
At Optilase, we’re all about your eyes – offering a comprehensive range of treatments using the world’s most advanced technology while being dedicated to providing patient care of the highest professional standard.
For over 20 years, laser eye surgery has helped millions of people around the world see more clearly. This safe, painless and quick procedure will not only bring you into a world of crisp and 20/20 vision, it will also save you money on optical bills during your lifetime. Isn’t it time you made the call?
Call Optilase on +353 1 223 8821 to book your free consultation now.
