
Can Anxiety Cause Blurred Vision?
6 min.
Are you experiencing blurred vision when you’re anxious? Learn how anxiety can cause blurred vision, signs to look out for, and how to manage visual disturbances.
Anxiety, one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, is often associated with emotional and psychological symptoms. However, it can also lead to various overlooked physical symptoms, including blurred vision. It may come as a surprise, but there is a real connection between anxiety and vision problems. Here is a breakdown of how anxiety can manifest as blurred vision, what symptoms to watch for, and how to manage these issues effectively.
How anxiety triggers blurred vision
When the body experiences anxiety, it activates a stress response known as “fight or flight,” releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While this response is beneficial in dangerous situations, it also has unintended effects on bodily functions, including vision changes.
Blurred vision is a common side effect of the “fight or flight” response and can occur during or after periods of heightened anxiety. The release of adrenaline affects blood flow and the eye muscles, making it harder for them to focus properly. Additionally, heightened stress can lead to dilated pupils, which may cause sensitivity to light along with other visual disturbances. This combination of physical responses results in temporary blurry vision, especially in situations where anxiety levels remain elevated for an extended period of time.
Common vision problems associated with anxiety
Here are some of the most common vision problems people experience during episodes of heightened stress or anxiety:
1. Blurred vision and focus issues
As previously stated, blurred vision is one of the primary symptoms of anxiety. As the brain becomes overwhelmed by anxiety signals, it may become harder for the eyes to focus on objects, especially if anxiety levels are particularly high. This lack of focus can lead to other visual distortions, such as seeing objects hazy or out of alignment. Over time, repeated episodes of anxiety-related blurred vision may increase eye strain, further exacerbating discomfort and the ability to see clearly.
2. Double vision and peripheral vision changes
Some people may experience double vision during an anxiety attack due to the muscles around the eyes becoming excessively tense and not working together. Changes in peripheral vision can also occur, with some people feeling as though their vision narrows or that objects in their side view become blurry. While these symptoms are alarming during an anxiety attack, they usually subside once the anxiety decreases.
3. Visual stress and light sensitivity
Visual stress is a phenomenon that occurs when the brain becomes overwhelmed by visual stimuli, resulting in difficulty processing visual information, discomfort, and fatigue. People may also experience photophobia, or light sensitivity, where bright lights or even normal daylight seem painfully intense, especially in highly stressful environments. Those who experience photophobia may squint, get headaches, or feel the need to avoid lighted environments altogether, making it difficult to function normally during an anxiety attack.
4. Dry eyes
One of the more common eye problems associated with anxiety is dry eyes, which is caused by a change in blinking patterns in relation to anxiety, reducing the amount of moisture in the eyes. This resulting dryness can make it difficult to maintain clear vision, leading to blurry vision and discomfort.
Furthermore, dry eyes can cause a sensation of grittiness or burning, adding to the overall discomfort that people feel when experiencing anxiety-related vision issues. Eye drops can offer relief, but it’s important to address the underlying anxiety as well.
How anxiety impacts eye health
While anxiety often causes temporary vision issues, as it becomes chronic, it can have a more long-lasting impact on overall eye health. Anxiety affects several aspects of vision and can lead to persistent problems if not properly managed. One of the most common issues is chronic eye strain and digital eye strain. For most people, it is common to spend long hours in front of screens or engage in activities that require intense focus. Anxiety can worsen the effects of digital eye strain, leading to blurry vision, headaches, and eye pain. As the combination of anxiety and prolonged screen exposure becomes more frequent, the harder it is for the eyes to recover from strain and maintain focus.
Anxiety can also make people more aware of the small, shadowy specks that drift across a person’s field of vision, also known as eye floaters. While these are usually harmless, anxiety can make eye floaters more prominent and, in rare cases, can mimic more serious conditions like optic neuritis, but these cases are less common. In turn, this heightened focus on visual anomalies can cause people to become overly concerned about their vision, further feeding their anxiety.
How to manage blurred vision from anxiety
Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of anxiety can help maintain good eye health and reduce the frequency of blurry vision. Here is a list of several approaches to managing visual symptoms related to anxiety.
1. Stress management techniques
One of the most effective ways to alleviate anxiety-induced vision issues is through stress management. Practices such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness can help lower overall anxiety levels, thereby reducing the chances of experiencing blurry vision or eye strain. It is important to take breaks throughout the day, as even five minutes every hour can help give a person and their eyes a chance to rest and recover from strain.
2. Eye health and vision care
Attending regular eye exams to ensure that vision issues aren’t related to a more serious condition like an optic nerve problem, is crucial to maintaining proper eye health, as well as alleviating anxiety about it. In the case of dry eyes, an eye doctor may recommend treatments like eye drops or vision therapy to help improve the function of the eye muscles. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as taking regular breaks from screen time and adjusting lighting conditions will further reduce eye strain and enhance overall visual health.
3. Therapy and medication
Therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can be highly effective in reducing anxiety and the physical symptoms that come with it, including blurry vision. Working with a therapist can help better manage anxiety and develop coping mechanisms for times when it is particularly intense.
In some cases, addressing anxiety directly through anti-anxiety medication may be necessary to help relieve both mental and visual symptoms.
When to seek professional help
Although most vision problems caused by anxiety are temporary, it is important to seek professional help if symptoms persist. Chronic blurry vision, double vision, or visual stress could be signs of more serious conditions like eye disease. An eye exam will help rule out conditions such as eye infections, cataracts, and other vision problems that may require medical intervention.
Once medical conditions are ruled out, seeking professional help, such as a therapist, for anxiety can also be beneficial in managing vision-related symptoms. A mental health professional may recommend techniques such as relaxation exercises and mindfulness practices to reduce overall anxiety levels and the frequency of visual disturbances. Finally, working on improving sleep hygiene and reducing caffeine intake, which can exacerbate anxiety, may also have a positive impact on eye function.
How Charlie Health can help
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions, including anxiety. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing anxiety is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.