We've all felt the toll stress can take on our bodies - tension headaches, sore muscles, trouble sleeping - but did you know stress can also affect your eyes and vision? While it's normal for our eyesight to change slowly over time, intense or prolonged stress can sometimes cause noticeable, temporary problems with how we see. Here's what to watch for and how to protect your eye health during stressful times.
How Stress Affects the Eyes
When you're under stress, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals prepare you for "fight or flight," but they can also affect the delicate structures in your eyes. Some of the most common stress - related eye symptoms can include.:
Eye strain and fatigue - Prolonged tension can cause you to squint, blink less often, and clench the muscles around your eyes.
Dry eyes - Stress can reduce tear production, making eyes feel scratchy, irritated, or watery.
Blurred vision - Stress - related changes in focus and muscle tension can cause temporary blurriness.
Eye twitching (myokymia) - Small spasms in the eyelid muscles often appear during stressful periods.
Light sensitivity - Some people notice bright lights become uncomfortable during high - stress days.
Stress and Chronic Eye Conditions
For people already managing conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or dry eye syndrome, stress can sometimes worsen symptoms. While stress doesn't directly cause most eye diseases, it can make existing problems harder to manage by disrupting sleep, raising blood pressure, or affecting how well we stick to treatment routines.
Reducing Stress for Better Vision
While no one can avoid stress entirely, small daily habits can protect both your overall well - being and your vision:
Blink often - Especially when using screens, to keep eyes moist.
Take vision breaks - Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Stay hydrated - Adequate water helps maintain healthy tear production.
Move your body - Even short walks lower stress hormones.
Practice relaxation - Deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can reduce tension.
Schedule regular eye exams - Catching changes early ensures small problems don't become big ones.
When to Seek Professional Advice
If you notice sudden changes in your vision, persistent eye pain, or flashes of light, don't assume it's just stress - see your optometrist promptly. Our doctors can usually see you for emergency type symptoms the same day on a weekday, and we always have doctors on call for evenings and weekends. Quick evaluations can rule out more serious conditions and provide peace of mind.
Bottom Line
Your eyes are connected to the rest of your body - and that means they can feel the effects of stress just like your muscles or heart. By caring for your overall health and making time for regular eye checkups, you can help protect your vision, even during life's most stresssful moments.
As July rolls on, it's hard to believe summer break is halfway over! While you're busy checking off school supplies, updating wardrobes, and preparing for another academic year, there's one very important item that often gets overlooked- your child's annual eye exam.
Why Vision Matters in the Classroom:
Up to 80% of learning in a classroom is visual. From reading the board to completing worksheets and focusing on screens, children rely on their eyesight all day long. Yet, many vision problems can go unnoticed- especially if your child doesn't know what "normal" vision feels like.
Common vision issues like:
Nearsightedness (difficulty seeing far away)
Farsightedness
Astigmatism
Eye teaming or tracking problems can cause headaches, eye strain, poor focus, and even behavioral issues that are often mistakenly labeled as attention problems or learning delays.
Why a School Vision Screening Isn't Enough
School screenings are helpful, but they're not comprehensive. These quick tests often miss subtle issues with depth perception, eye coordination and focusing skills- all of which are crucial for reading and learning. Only a comprehensive eyeexam by an optometrist can detect these hidden problems.
Book Now- Avoid the August Rush!
Late July and early August are the perfect times to schedule your child's exam. You'll beat the back-to-school appointment scramble and get ahead of any vision concerns before the first bell rings.
Plus- if your child needs glasses, you'll have time to pick a pair they love and get them fitted before school starts!
Let us Help You Check Off That LastBox
Our team is here to make back-to-school vision care simple and stress-free. Whether it's your child's first eye exam or a routine checkup, we'll ensure their eyes are ready to learn, play, and thrive this school year.
Call Koetting Eye Center Today to Schedule an Appointment!
Brentwood: (314) 863-0000 or Ellisville (636) 256-7800
Summer is a time for sunshine, outdoor fun, and water activities- but it's also a season when your eyes face unique risks. From harsh UV rays to the dangers lurking in swimming pools and lakes, your eyes deserve just as much protection as your skin. Here's how to keep your vision clear and comfortable all summer long.
1. Shield Your Eyes from UV Rays
Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of:
Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Pinguecula and pterygium (abnormal tissue growth on the eye)
Photokeratitis (a painful "sunburn" of the eye)
What to look for in Sunglasses:
100% UVA and UVB protection (often labled UV400)
Wraparound frames to block light from the sides
Polarized lenses to reduce glare (especially helpful when near water or driving)
A wide - brimmed hat also adds extra shade and cuts down on UV exposure
2. Water Safety: The Hidden Risk for Contact Lens Wearers
Swimming is one of summer's greatest joys, but it poses a serious risk for contact lens wearers. Water- whether in pools, lakes, hot tubs, or even the shower can harbor harmful microorganisms. One of the most dangerous is Acanthamoeba, a microscopic organism found in tap water and natural water sources.
What is Acanthamoeba Keratitis?
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious infection of the cornea that can cause permanent vision loss. Contact lens wearers are at much greater risk, especially when lenses are exposed to water.
Avoid These Common Mistakes:
Never swim or shower while wearing contact lenses. Water can trap bacteria or amoebae under the lens, increasing the risk of infection.
Do not rinse lenses with tap water or store them in dirty cases.
Safer Options:
Swim goggles over your lenses (not ideal, but better than unprotected swimming)
Daily disposable lenses - discard them immediately after swimming.
Prescription swim goggles, which allow you to swim clearly and safely without contacts.
If you suspect eye redness, pain, or blurry vision after swimming, seek immediate medical attention- early treatment is critical for Acanthamoeba infections.
3. Protect Against Dryness and Irritants
Summer heat, air conditioning, and wind can all contribute to dry eye syndrome, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or traveling.
Tips for Relief
Use preservative- free artificial tears
Wear wraparound sunglasses to block wind
stay hydrated and take breaks from dry air.
4. Eye Safety Around Fireworks
Fireworks can be dangerous, especially for children. The most common injuries from fireworks involve the eyes.
Be Safe
Never let children handle fireworks- even sparklers.
Keep a safe distance and wear protective eyewear if you're lighting them.
Be cautious with DIY displays- accidents can happen in a flash.
Eat for Eye Health
Summer offers a bounty of seasonal produce rich in Lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C, all great for your eyes. Load up on:
Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
Berries
Bell peppers
Corn
Watermelon (hydration + viatmin A!)
Final Thoughts
Summertime brings brighter days- but also more reasons to protect your vision. Sunglasses, smart swimming habits, and a little awareness go a long way toward keeping your eyes safe, comfortable, and healthy. Talk to one of our doctors about the best precautions for your lifestyle.
While you drift off into dreamland, your eyes are far from inactive. In fact, your eyes fo through a fascinating series of changes and processes while you sleep- some essential for healing, some involved in dreaming, and others that can explain why you sometimes wake up with dry or puffy eyes. Let’s take a look behind the eyelids to explore the secret life of your eyes at night.
Your eyes get a much-needed break
During the day, your eyes are constantly in motion- focusing, adjusting to light, blinking, and processing information. When you sleep, your eyes finally get a chance to rest. Your blink rate slows dramatically, reducing strain and allowing the tear film to stabilize and repair the eye’s surface.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep
One of the most intriguing parts of sleep is the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage. This is when most dreaming happens-and yes, your eyes do move rapidly under your closed lids. While scientists are still studying why this occurs, some believe the eye movements may be connected to visual processing in dreams, like you’re “watching” the dream play out.
Natural Eye Healing
Your eyes use sleep time to recover from daily stress. Increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the eye tissues. This natural repair process helps maintain eye health and may even reduce inflammation caused by screen exposure, dry air, or allergies.
Why you wake up with puffy or dry eyes
It’s not uncommon to wake up with dry, itchy, or puffy eyes. Several factors can contribute to this:
Sleeping with your eyes slightly open (a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos)
Allergies or sinus congestion
Poor-quality sleep or sleeping face down
Using fans or sleeping in dry environments without a humidifier
A good sleep posture, a gentle eye mask, and proper hydration can help reduce morning eye issues.
Tear Production Slows Down
Your body slows tear production at night, which is why people with dry eye syndrome may feel worse in the morning. If you frequently wake up with stinging or gritty eyes, talk to one of our doctors about night-time lubricating gels,drops, or other possible treatments.
Tips for happy eyes overnight:
Remove all makeup before bed to prevent irritation and infections.
Use a humidifier if your bedroom air is dry
Try a warm compress before sleep if you suffer from dry or tired eyes
Limit screen time before bed to avoid over-stimulating your eyes and brain.
Final Thought:
Your eyes do more at night than simply stay shut. From dream-driven movements to healing and restoration, they play a key role in your overall health while you sleep. Treat your eyes well-both day and night- and they will serve you clearly for years to come. One important way to treat your eyes well is with an annual eye exam. Call us today to schedule yours!
