Ophthalmologist warned about the risk of blindness due to chronic stress

Severe or chronic stress can trigger a cascade of reactions leading to significant deterioration of visual functions and, in rare cases, functional blindness, when the eye sees, but the brain refuses to process the image. Anton Kazantsev, ophthalmologist and General Director of VISTA Ophthalmological Center, announced this on Tuesday, May 19.

According to the expert, complete and irreversible blindness, which is caused only by emotional shock, does not occur in a person with initially healthy eyes.

The ophthalmologist clarified that the most striking example of a psychosomatic visual disorder is central serous chorioretinopathy. In this disease, against the background of elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, the permeability of the vascular membrane of the eye is disrupted, and fluid sweats under the retina. As a result, a gray spot appears in the center of the field of view, the image is distorted, and straight lines appear curved.

"The disease affects mainly men of working age, often managers and people with increased anxiety. Vision decreases noticeably, but in most cases, with the elimination of the stress factor and proper treatment, it is restored," Kazantsev said in an interview with Lenta.Ru .

He added that stress is also a powerful trigger for the development of dry eye syndrome and blepharospasm. With prolonged nervous tension, the frequency of blinking is disrupted, the composition of the tear film changes, and chronic inflammation of the eye surface occurs. As a result, a person begins to experience constant discomfort, pain, and a feeling of sand, which is subjectively perceived as visual impairment.

The doctor added that there is such a thing as psychogenic or hysterical blindness. This is a disorder in which, against the background of severe mental trauma, a person stops seeing, although the eyes, optic nerves, and visual cortex of the brain are absolutely intact. This condition is reversible and requires the help of a psychiatrist or psychotherapist rather than an ophthalmologist.

"It is important to understand that stress does not damage the eye as an optical device, but it disrupts the fine—tuning of the interaction between the eye and the brain, and also provokes vascular spasms that can worsen existing diseases such as glaucoma or age—related macular degeneration," the expert explained.

Earlier in the day, Kristina Gazzayeva, an ophthalmologist at Mozhaisk Hospital, said that brown and green lenses of glasses best protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation and do not distort colors, while blue, yellow and pink cope with this task worse, the Moscow city news agency reports.

The doctor noted that the level of ultraviolet blocking is indicated in the labeling of glasses, therefore, before buying, it is necessary to study this information with special care. 360.ru .

Yesterday, an ophthalmologist, candidate of medical Sciences Shakhlo Makhkamova said that women on average live longer than men, partly because they allow themselves to cry more often, which helps the body get rid of stress hormones.

In April, Oksana Kuznetsova, chief physician of the 3Z ophthalmological clinic, said that prolonged work at the screen, poor workplace lighting and insufficient distance from the monitor increase the risk of developing dry eye syndrome, computer vision syndrome, myopia, and spasm of accommodation.