It’s safe to say that we’re living through some pretty uniquely stressful times. With the pandemic still fresh in our minds and a cost-of-living crisis filling the media with woe, it’s only natural to feel an added weight. But while the impact of stress on our mental health and our overall mood is well known, did you know that stress can also have a derogatory impact on your vision?
According to Roshni Patel, BSC (Hons) MCOptom at expert optometrist at Lenstore: “Repeated stress can take a toll on you not only mentally, but physically as well. Stress impacts your eyes with symptoms including sensitivity to light, eye twitching, too dry or too wet eyes, blurry vision, and eye strain.”
If you’re feeling stressed, you might also experience visual disturbances or loss of sight in your periphery. There’s also the fact that stress can make it harder to sleep and a lack of sleep can also lead to serious vision problems. It’s a vicious cycle that can feel almost impossible to break out of.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to stop, take a break from what you are doing, get some rest, and try and take part in any of your favourite relaxation techniques. Stress-related eye issues are most likely temporary but be sure to see your optometrist if any symptoms persist.
Finally, whilst it is important to consult your optometrist with any problems related to your vision, it is also crucial to visit your GP and speak through how you are feeling with friends and family to protect your wellbeing because it’s not only your vision that can be affected by stress.
Mind, body and soul
Stress can impact every part of your being physically and mentally and if you don’t deal with it, your everyday life might seem almost impossible to cope with. In many, for example, stress can release what’s known as the “fight or flight” response, which makes us feel as if we are in mortal danger even when we’re sitting comfortably behind our desks.
It can also lead to everything from fertility problems to high blood pressure and an overall weakened immune system. Simply put – stress is very bad for your body. But what symptoms should you be looking out for, so you know when to start taking action?
Generally speaking, people who are under a great deal of stress will spend most of their waking lives feeling irritable and depressed. They will also probably suffer from regular headaches and feel anxious most of the time. This is a sign of chronic stress and that can build into a debilitating condition that will affect your vision and all other parts of your body over time.
So, if you notice any or all of these symptoms, do something about it. Take a deep breath, book a doctor’s appointment at your earliest convenience and remember that having a few days off never hurt anyone.
