In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, stress is an all-too-common issue for many individuals. Not only can it lead to physical and mental exhaustion, but it may also have severe consequences for our vision.
That’s right; stress can cause eye problems and even result in vision loss. There can be a link between stress and eye problems. Stress in the workplace can result in vision loss.
How Stress Impacts Eye Health
When the body experiences stress, it releases cortisol, a hormone that can significantly impact various bodily systems, including the eyes. Cortisol can cause blood vessels in the eyes to constrict, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the eyes. This can result in eye problems such as strain, dry eyes, double vision, blurred vision, frequent headaches, and light sensitivity.
In addition, prolonged exposure to cortisol can disrupt the delicate balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, leading to ophthalmological diseases like glaucoma and optic neuropathy.
So, How Do You Know You’re Experiencing Stress-Related Eye Problems?
To differentiate between routine eye problems and stress-related eye problems, look out for the following signs:
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Excessive tearing
- Eye twitching
- Blurry vision
- Eye floaters
- Eye strain
- Eye fatigue
- Headaches
These symptoms are common in workers who work in office jobs with prolonged screen use, jobs that require long focus and concentration, jobs that require working in stressful environments, jobs that involve physical stress, and jobs that require working with hazardous materials. These professions include:
- First Responders (Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics)
- Healthcare Professionals (Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers)
- Corporate Executives
- Finance and Investment Professionals
- Lawyers
- Teachers
If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek the help of an eye doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further progression of vision loss.
Most importantly, if you work in these professions, take adequate measures to ease your stress. Try meditating, spending more time outdoors, exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting eight hours of sleep at night.
Please don’t Suffer in Silence: Get Help from Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Eye problems, whether stress-induced or not, should not be taken lightly. They can easily hinder us from performing our daily tasks and activities effectively. For example, you may not recognize faces, read, or move around. This can result in continuous mental stress, causing worries, anxiety, fear, and eventually depression and social isolation. In the long term, your ability to perform your job duties will be affected, leading to decreased productivity and potential unemployment.
If you’re suffering from eye problems due to a work accident or the demands of your job, it’s vital to seek the help of a workers’ comp attorney at The Law Office of James. M. Hoffman, we have years of experience handling these cases and will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today, and let us fight for your rights.