Doctor warns about the effects of stress and sudden pressure fluctuations on vision

A prolonged negative emotional state affects all organs, and the visual system is one of the first to suffer a heavy blow, said ophthalmologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences Victoria Balasanyan in an interview with "Lenta".

"When we are nervous for a long time, we can start to see double, have an incomprehensible burning sensation, or have blurred vision. This is not due to a small particle of dust, but a specific state of irritation of nerve receptors. If the eyes begin to react, then the cardiovascular system will also begin to react, and this can be dangerous not only for the quality of life, but also for life," the doctor said.

According to the specialist, the combination of stress and hypertension is especially dangerous, as it damages blood vessels, many of which are located at the bottom of the eyeball.

"Their main role is to nourish the retina, which is responsible for our vision. The vessels of the retina are especially delicate and sensitive to increased pressure. Fluctuations in blood pressure disrupt normal blood flow: the retinal arteries become unevenly dilated and thickened, the retina swells, and pinpoint hemorrhages occur. Has anyone noticed a “red mesh” on the white of the eye? This is a warning sign.”

Ignoring this problem can have serious consequences. Hypertension increases the risk of thrombosis of the smallest veins and arteries of the retina. Blood stagnation leads to edema, decreased visual acuity, and over time, retinal atrophy or detachment. Moreover, hypertensive retinopathy can cause increased intraocular pressure, which can lead to glaucoma, which in turn can lead to blindness. Finally, hypertension accelerates the development of other eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

“To avoid this, it is important to properly treat the underlying disease and never stop taking blood pressure medication without consulting a doctor, even if you feel better,” the ophthalmologist explained.

According to the doctor, stress management can be achieved not only with medication. Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep and walking outdoors also help. After the age of 40, you should walk 3-4 kilometers a day. If walking is not possible, the doctor recommended a simple but effective “Black Color” exercise.

“You need to turn off the lights in the room, close your eyes, lean back in a chair and start imagining an intense black color before your eyes. We usually see white or gray-white “clouds”. This is the result of retinal and nerve stimulation. Mentally try to blacken them, achieving the feeling of a completely black curtain before your eyes. "Do this meditation for 2-4 minutes, and you will feel the tension go away," Balasanyan emphasized.