Living in a fast-paced world, stress has become common in our daily lives. Our bodies try to cope with emotional and physical stress by releasing hormones that can cause changes in our body’s functions.
One such effect of stress is high blood pressure. However, can stress also cause high eye pressure?
Stress can indeed lead to high eye pressure or increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This can happen whether you’re feeling stressed or anxious for a short time or regularly. There is a surprising link between stress and our eyes that many people aren’t aware of.
So, while we can’t always control the stressors in our lives, taking steps to manage stress levels could benefit our eye health.
Total Vision is a proficient and empathetic team ready to manage your ocular health. We are fully prepared to provide superior eye care and treatment for your family in an environment that is both comfortable and entirely focused on the family.
Each eye exam we conduct incorporates routine screenings for prevalent eye diseases. Together, we will make sure the health and safety of your and your family’s eyes is our top priority.
Understanding High Eye Pressure
Your eyes are responsible for creating a fluid known as aqueous humor. This fluid is essential as it helps maintain the shape of your eyes and supplies the necessary nutrients to your cornea and lens.
However, this fluid doesn’t just remain stagnant–it flows out through a system in your eyes called the trabecular meshwork. But here’s the catch: if your eyes start producing too much aqueous humor or the drainage system isn’t up to par, you could end up with a fluid buildup, which can result in elevated pressure in your eyes.
Can Stress Cause High Eye Pressure?
Research has suggested that stress might be linked to high pressure in your eyes. Stress appears to alter your body’s hormone levels, which could influence the amount of aqueous humor your eyes produce.
Additionally, stress can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to constrict, thereby increasing the pressure.
Some studies even suggest that acute emotional stress might trigger an increase in IOP. Additionally, people with high anxiety have shown increases in intraocular pressure.
However, it’s important to note that we’re still studying the extent of how stress influences eye pressure, and it’s unlikely to be the only contributing factor. Other elements such as genetics, diet, and medication can also affect the pressure in your eyes.
The Effects of High Eye Pressure on Eyesight
The optic nerve has a pretty important job–sending visual information from your eyes to your brain. But if your eye pressure gets too high, it can damage your optic nerve.
And if you don’t do something about it, you could end up with glaucoma, which is one of the top reasons people go blind worldwide.
It starts by messing with your peripheral vision and then moves on to your central vision. This can make everyday activities like reading, driving, or even recognizing faces tough.
Managing Stress & Preventing High Eye Pressure
It’s really important to keep a handle on your stress levels. It’s good for your health overall and can also help stop your eye pressure from getting too high.
So, how do you go about doing that? Deep breathing, meditation, rhythmic exercise, yoga, or tai chi are all great ways to chill out and give your body the break it needs. Plus, they’re things you can do anywhere, anytime.
Mindfulness meditation programs can even help with anxiety, depression, and pain. Did you know that moderate-intensity exercise, like yoga, is safe and likely beneficial for most people? In fact, many studies have found that yoga and meditation can lower intraocular pressure.
But let’s not forget about diet. Eating mindfully and making thoughtful food choices can help counteract stress. A diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E can help prevent eye damage and keep your eyes in tip-top shape.
The Intricate Connection
Although stress might play a part in high eye pressure, it’s not the only culprit. Other factors can also lead to this condition. That’s why regular eye exams are important, especially as you get older.
Catching any signs of high eye pressure or glaucoma early is key. And remember to live a healthy lifestyle! Keep your stress levels in check, protect your eyes, and you’ll be on your way to keeping your vision crisp and clear.
Total Vision is here to help you and your family with your eyes and overall health. Book an appointment with us today to see what we have to offer!
