Scientists find psychological stress contributes to vision loss

Scientists have highlighted that as well as being a common result of sight loss, stress can also contribute to impaired vision.

As part of research published in EPMA Journal, the authors highlighted: “We conclude that stress is both a consequence and cause of vision loss. This creates a vicious cycle of a downward spiral, in which initial vision loss creates stress which further accelerates vision loss, creating even more stress and so forth.”

The researchers contend that elevated cortisol levels negatively affect the eye and brain, meaning that stress may be one of the major causes of visual system diseases such as glaucoma and optic neuropathy.

The study is based on an analysis of hundreds of research papers and clinical reports about the relationship between vision and ophthalmologic disease.

On the basis of the findings, the authors recommend incorporating stress reduction techniques as part of the clinical management of eye disease.