Stress can influence eye comfort and visual symptoms through muscle tension, altered blinking, and hormonal changes. It often exacerbates existing conditions such as dry eye or migraine.
Typical Manifestations
People under stress commonly report headaches, eye strain, twitching eyelids, and difficulty focusing. Prolonged near work during stressful periods, such as exams or deadlines, may lead to more pronounced discomfort.
- Stress can increase awareness of floaters or minor visual disturbances
- Clenching of jaw and neck muscles may contribute to peri‑orbital pain
- Some stress‑related medications can have ocular side effects
- Sleep disruption linked with stress further affects eye comfort
Management
Addressing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene often improves eye symptoms. An eye examination can rule out underlying pathology and provide tailored advice.
- Practise planned breaks and breathing exercises during intense visual tasks
- Discuss persistent visual changes, such as aura or double vision, with a clinician promptly
- Consider counselling or support services if stress is ongoing
- Managing dry eye or refractive error may reduce stress‑related visual complaints
