Vision, Stress, and Anxiety

Many people report changes to their vision when they are having an anxiety attack. These changes can include tunnel vision, a snowy or static-like sensation, or even temporary blindness. At Utah Valley Eye, not only are we the leaders of LASIK surgery in Provo, we are a one-stop family eye center.

Anxiety and eyesight

In some cases of adult-diagnosed anxiety disorder, the person has had signs of anxiety most of their life. Many times, this is ignored, brushed off, or coped with until the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back hits. This can come with a significant event or panic attack that can involve vision loss or disturbances. It is as if the mind tells the body that enough is enough and shuts down its own defense systems to finally get the help that is needed to function.

Which comes first – mental health or vision loss?

Over the last several years, researchers have started to explore the possibility that having a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD affects a person’s vision. It is generally understood that if a person who has visual impairment is at a higher risk for mental health challenges, but the latest research suggests that having a mental health problem can affect a person’s eyesight.

Always disclose all your medications

When you come to see one of our vision professionals, please include information about any other health problems, physical or mental that you are facing. It is critical that you let us know about any medication that you are taking to manage your mental health. One of the side effects of long-term use of these medications is that they can cause near-sightedness, difficulty in seeing color, vision loss, or glaucoma. By so doing, we can explore thoroughly how we might help you keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

If you have any questions about the link between mental health and ophthalmology, please contact us at Utah Valley Eye. We are a leader in vision services including a long-standing provider of Provo eyelid surgery.