Is Ocular hypertension caused by stress?

Stress can interfere with sleep, skin and digestion, but did you know it can affect your eyes as well? Stress is a common issue faced by each and every person in this generation. Our bodies try to cope with emotional and physical stress by releasing hormones that can cause changes in the body’s functions. The relationship between stress and ocular hypertension is complex and multifaceted and also involves several interconnected factors. Stress is medically defined as a disruption in the homeostatic state of the organism. 

We can’t always control the stressors in our lives, but we can obviously control them. This blog focuses on the relationship between stress and ocular hypertension. 

Understanding ocular hypertension

Ocular hypertension is a condition that occurs when the pressure within the eyes increases without affecting a person’s vision or damaging the eye anatomy. It is basically intraocular pressure higher than 21 mmHg, which is considered ocular hypertension. It can occur in people of all ages but it is more common in people over the age of 40 and individuals with a family history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension has no noticeable signs or symptoms. There is no actual treatment for ocular hypertension. 

What is normal ocular pressure?

Eye pressure is the pressure inside the eye that helps to maintain shape and function. Eye pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). In most of the individuals, the normal ocular pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg. The average reading of ocular pressure is 15 to 16 mmHg. The pressure above 21 mmHg is generally classified as ocular hypertension. Pressure below 10 mmHg is considered as low and can cause vision problems or damage to the eye’s internal structures.  

Understanding the link between ocular hypertension and stress

The intricate link between stress and ocular hypertension is a subject of growing interest within the medical community. This connection is primarily due to the body’s psychological responses to stress, which involve the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can alter the normal functioning of the bodily functions and have specific impact on eye health:

• Increased intraocular pressure

Consistent stress can lead to elevated intraocular pressure, a risk factor for glaucoma.

• Fluctuations in Blood flow

Stress can cause fluctuations in blood pressure and blood flow to the eyes, potentially leading to visual disturbances

• Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. 

• Hormonal changes and visual quality

The hormonal changes triggered by stress can affect the quality of visuals. 

People expect symptoms but they don’t get it

What’s odd about ocular hypertension is that many people feel completely normal. No warning. No obvious signs. Nothing dramatic. You’d expect high pressure in the eye to feel like something. A throbbing sensation maybe. Constant discomfort. But often there’s nothing much to notice. That surprises people. 

Sometimes there can be signs of increased intraocular pressure, such as headaches, blurred vision, eye pain or halos around eyes. But these symptoms are not seen in everyone. In fact, plenty of individuals discover they have ocular hypertension purely because they booked an eye appointment. 

Maybe we’re asking wrong question

Instead of asking whether stress causes high eye pressure, maybe it makes more sense to ask what actually affects eye pressure in the first place. When ophthalmologists discuss what causes ocular hypertension, stress isn’t usually the one at the top of list. 

The eye has its own drainage system. Fluid is constantly produced and drained in the drainage system. When the drainage processes slow down, even slightly, pressure can start building up. Sometimes it’s related to age. Sometimes it’s hereditary. Certain medications, especially steroid based medications can also play a role. And then there are factors that are difficult to measure. 

Poor sleep. Long working hours. Higher exposure to screen. The kind of stress that people carry home and the one that sits with them at the dinner table. The body’s normal rhythm gets disrupted. Some researchers believe these changes may contribute to conditions that may increase intraocular pressure in certain people. 

People get nervous when glaucoma enters the conversation

The word glaucoma has an anxious impact on many people. You can almost see it happen. An ophthalmologist mentions eye pressure and a person’s mind directly jumps to vision loss. That’s one of the reasons the topic of ocular hypertension vs glaucoma keeps on coming up. They aren’t the same things. 

Someone might have ocular hypertension without having glaucoma. In fact, many people do. The only concern is that elevated pressure may increase the risk over time and that is the biggest reason why monitoring becomes vital. It’s less about panic and more about paying attention and that is the major difference. 

Blood pressure and eye pressure are not twins

I’ve noticed that most people have an assumption that high blood pressure automatically means high eye pressure. That isn’t necessarily true. The topic about blood pressure and eye pressure related concerns is more complicated than it sounds. Both the pressures include different measurements and systems. 

The body doesn’t operate in isolated conditions so overall health still matters. But having one issue doesn’t mean you’ll not have another issue. Sometimes they overlap, sometimes they don’t. 

Adults seem to hear about it more

As people grow older, routine eye exams tend to be the only option that helps people. When discussing causes of ocular hypertension in adults, eye specialists usually focus on age-related changes, genetics, medication use and the eye’s drainage system. 

Stress occasionally enters the conversation, but usually as one piece of a much larger puzzle. Not the entire puzzle. Just a piece. 

The treatment side of things isn’t always dramatic

The phrase ocular hypertension treatment sounds serious. Maybe even a little intimidating. But treatment doesn’t automatically mean surgery or laser treatment. Sometimes eye specialists simply monitor eye health. Some prescription eye drops like Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop can be used as well. The approach depends on individual condition and overall risk factors. 

Topical treatments are the most common and effective primary treatment that are designed to lower eye pressure by 20% to 25%. Lifestyle adjustments are also essential as they can help to lower the risk and support eye health. 

Final Thoughts

So, can Ocular hypertension be caused by stress? Probably not in the way most people imagine. Current evidence suggests that stress alone is unlikely to cause elevated eye pressure. However, stress can influence a range of factors including sleep quality, hormonal imbalances, blood circulation and daily habits. These factors can be the sole reason for changes in eye health. 

The relationship is complicated and this is the reason why researchers are still studying it. If you’re concerned about eye health, routine examinations can be the only way to figure it out. Stress management can certainly support your eye health, but it shouldn’t replace eye examinations and medical advice. 

Sometimes the answer is bigger than stress alone.

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