Can stress harm your vision?

It’s common knowledge that stress can cause headaches, sleep problems, anxiety, and irritability, but did you know it may also cause an eye condition called central serous retinopathy? Read on as we discuss this eye condition and what it can mean for your vision.

What causes CSR?

Central serous retinopathy, or CSR, is when the eye’s macula layers detach from their supporting tissue, allowing fluid to leak beneath the retina. While not common, it can lead to vision loss if not treated, CEENTA Ophthalmologist Omar Punjabi, MD, said. As mentioned above, it is most commonly associated with stress.

In addition to stress, high levels of cortisol or corticosteroid use may also be a cause of CSR. Cortisol is the hormone that helps the body deal with stress. Corticosteroids are medicines used to treat allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and other inflammatory conditions. According to Dr. Punjabi, other risk factors include being male or having a "type A" personality.

What are the signs?

Signs of CSR include:

• Distorted, dimmed, or blurred vision
• A brownish tint when looking at white objects
• A dark area in your central vision
• Objects appearing at incorrect distances

How is it treated?

Many cases improve spontaneously in a few months, Dr. Punjabi said. If it's chronic or recurrent, some oral medications have proven effective in treating CSR. Laser treatment has also been effective in cases where there has been little improvement after three or four months.

Fortunately, over 90 percent of patients regain their vision after six months.

How can it be prevented?

The best way to control a stress-related health issue is, of course, to manage your stress. Good stress management techniques include:

• Regular exercise
• Yoga or meditation
• Starting a hobby

If your stress is affecting or affected by your mental health, you may also want to consider some sort of mental health care. For example, you may want to consider seeing a therapist, or you may discuss taking some sort of anti-anxiety medication with your doctor.

Stress is a temporary issue. Don’t let it cause your eyes permanent damage.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.