How Does Stress Affect The Eyes? Possible Problems And What To Do
We live in a society where it is difficult to stop for a single second. Every day we have to face meetings at work, take the children to school, clean up before a visitor comes… situations that force us to be quick and stay active.
In addition to all this and, especially in the field of studies and office work, we have to use devices such as computers or mobile phones to stay informed and be able to carry out our tasks. Lights, along with other stress factors, are elements that contribute to our vision organs developing diseases and infections.
In this article Let’s see how stress affects the eyes some associated disorders and tips to prevent them from occurring.
The eyes are very sensitive organs. They require constant hydration and powerful lights can damage them. In addition, particles such as sand or dust are easily irritated and cause discomfort.
Everyday problems cause the eyes to develop a physiological response whose intention is to warn us that something is not right If we do not heed this wake-up call, the problems can become chronic.
Let’s look at some of the eye problems associated with high levels of stress and that often cause discomfort.
Eye problems due to stress
Listed below are some of the visual problems caused by high levels of stress.
1. Tremors in the eyes
Also called tics or, in the more professional field, myokymias. These tics usually affect the lower eyelid and, sometimes, the upper eyelid.
These are involuntary movements of muscle fibers around the eyes specifically the Müller muscle, which is responsible for elevating the eyelid.
Normally, these movements can be controlled, but in stressful situations they occur spontaneously. Tic episodes can vary in duration, ranging from days to weeks.
The causes of myokymias can have a chemical origin, such as the consumption of exciting substances such as caffeine or the abuse of tobacco and alcohol. A disorganized life can also lead to eye tremors, as can having irregular sleep rhythms.
2. Eye inflammation
It is another of the most common consequences of stress. One of the causes of this type of problem is maculopathy or central serous choroidopathy which consists of inflammation of the central part of the retina.
Eye inflammations can occur due to hormonal and biochemical imbalances, causing the vessels that supply the eyes to become inflamed and lose their impermeability. The fluid occupies the space between the retina and the choroid. This causes the macula to be affected, which is a part of the retina that allows us to see clearly. As a result, you see a kind of stain in the center that prevents small details from being discerned.
This type of inflammation can lead to loss of vision in the most serious cases, although As a general rule, they only cause blurred vision and difficulties when reading and they are solved after a while.
3. Eyestrain
Also called asthenopia, it is the fatigue our eyes suffer from the stress of everyday life It can be caused by spending many hours in front of devices with screens, and causes problems such as headaches, blurred or double vision, and reading difficulties.
Because of this, visual fatigue is one of the most common stress-related problems among secretaries, office workers, researchers and writers, among other professions that dedicate a large part of their work using computers.
Eye fatigue should not be confused with eyestrain which is an age-related deterioration of visual acuity.
Also called blepharitis. It is usually caused by environmental dryness, which usually occurs when exposed to air conditioning for long periods of time or in front of screens.
This type of problem causes itching, sensation of having sand in the eyes, irritation, redness and burning.
5. Stress amaurosis
This is a sudden loss of vision. It normally occurs in people who already have a family history of this disease, but there are also cases in which it appears due to a prolonged period in which a lot of stress has been suffered.
Tips to treat problems and prevent them
As we have seen, stress can have serious consequences for our eye health. It is for this reason that here we will see some tips to avoid developing these problems or treat them if they occur
1. Relaxation and rest techniques
Stress is the result of a life that requires us to have a frenetic pace. A good way to reduce the problems it entails is to use relaxation techniques.
Yoga, meditation, mindfulness or something as simple as breathing deeply can be some of the methods that help avoid health problems both in the eyes and in the rest of the body.
It is also important to find a time to rest your eyes Turn off the computer and close your eyes for about five minutes, let them have a break. This way they will be conveniently hydrated and will not be so pressured.
2. Use glasses or lenses
When you suffer from a chronic vision problem, such as astigmatism or myopia, it is highly contraindicated not to use glasses and lenses.
If we see poorly we will strain our eyesight, which will cause stress in the eyes, in addition to being able to cause dizziness and sensitivity to light. Glasses were invented so that we could see well, let’s use them because that’s what they are for.
With regard to contact lenses, you should be careful. We must make sure that it is the best method we can have, given that there are some people whose eyes are very sensitive to lenses, causing irritation and discomfort.
3. Change habits
Our body is a temple, and for that reason we must take care of it. A correct diet, practicing sports frequently and maintaining a positive attitude facing life are aspects that help to have an optimal state of health.
Another healthy habit is to try to avoid using devices with screens, such as television, computers or cell phones, especially at night. The lights emitted by these devices can be very harmful to your eyesight if we submit to them constantly.
A more organized lifestyle will prevent us from suffering situations of uncertainty, which will generate stress and nervousness.
It is also recommended to work in environments where there is natural light, which poses fewer problems compared to artificial lights, which tend to be more aggressive for the eyes, especially those with bluish tones.
4. Eyelid massages
Some eye problems associated with stress, such as tremors, are solved by massaging around the eyes. Thus blood flow is facilitated, in addition to calming the area through tactile stimulation.
5. Use of eye drops and eye medications
In cases where necessary, such as blepharitis, it is advisable to use eye drops, whenever a professional indicates it and according to their guidelines
There are also ointments that are used to moisturize the eyelids and eyeball, in addition to dealing with bacterial infections.
6. Go to a specialist
If we have already developed a vision problem, it is best to go to an ophthalmologist.
However, It will also be necessary to go to other professionals if the origin is stress such as a psychologist, since he will find out what causes this problem and will give us methods to find a solution.
