“Keep an eye on your mental health,” they say, but how often do we actually consider “keeping an eye” on our eyes to maintain our mental wellbeing?
When we think about our health, we often consider physical fitness, nutrition and our emotional needs, but one vital aspect often overlooked is eye health. Surprisingly, there’s a big connection between the health of our eyes and the wellbeing of our minds.
A recent CDC study found that 1 in 4 adults* with vision loss reported anxiety or depression. So, there is no denying there is a link between the two. In this blog, we’ll explore what that link is and shed light on how taking care of your eyes can positively impact your mental health.
Our Eyes and Emotions
Our everyday language is filled with expressions that link our eyes to our thoughts and emotions; “I see what you mean,” “I can’t believe my eyes,” or “in the blink of an eye.” Turns out, these expressions aren’t just metaphorical; they hint at the real connection between our eyes and minds.
Our eyes are not only the window to the external world but also the mirror to our inner emotions and mental state. Think of them as internal mood rings. They reflect our emotions for all to see.
Have you ever noticed how your eyes reflect happiness, sadness, excitement, or stress? This is because the eyes are closely connected to the brain through intricate neural pathways, making them a direct reflection of our emotional and mental health.
Stress: A Sight for Sore Eyes
Imagine your eyes as drama queens – when you’re stressed, they go into full meltdown mode. Pupils dilate, blink rates go haywire and they even twitch. Chronic stress can take a toll on your eye health and could even lead to eye conditions like glaucoma. So, managing stress isn’t just for your peace of mind but also for your eye health.
Eye Caramba: Vision and Mood Disorders
Do your eyes ever feel like they’re in cahoots with your mood? Well, they might be! Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can manifest in physical eye symptoms. Changes in vision, light sensitivity and eye pain are just a few ways your eyes try to tell you, “something’s up in the mood department.”
Eye Strain: The Brain Fog Culprit
Ever experienced brain fog while staring at a screen for hours? Blame it on digital eye strain. Prolonged screen time can make you feel mentally drained, and you might find yourself typing gibberish or zoning out during that Zoom meeting. It’s not just your imagination; it’s your eyes playing tricks on your mind.
The Mind-Eye Connection
The difficulty of diagnosing cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is driving research on the eye-brain connection.
What if a detailed look at the retina could help identify early-stage brain disease?* We already know that eye exams can help diagnose other health issues like cardiovascular disease, risk factors for stroke, diabetes*, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and even some cancers*, and several studies show a link between changes in the retina and people with Alzheimer’s.
The retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye, contains cells directly connected to the brain, which means diseases that affect the retina can affect brain health. So, while regular eye exams are crucial for preserving and checking your vision, they can detect many other health issues you might not have been aware of.
Taking Care of Your Eyes for Mental Wellbeing
So, we’ve looked at the link between your mind and eyes, but what can you do to help it?
- Regular Eye Exams: As we mentioned earlier, routine eye exams are not just about checking your visual acuity. They can also detect early signs of eye conditions and serve as a preventive measure for your mental wellbeing. Our optometrist partners advise having an eye test every two years, so if you haven’t had one in a while, schedule it today – they usually take around 30 minutes and give you an excuse to grab a coffee on the way!
- Manage Stress: Practicing stress management techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga can alleviate eye-related stress symptoms.
- Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet rich in eye-friendly nutrients like vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids can not only lift your mood but is also key for looking after your eyes.
- Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of eye conditions linked to cognitive decline.
- Digital Eye Care: Be mindful of screen time, take regular breaks and consider using blue light filters or glasses to reduce digital eye strain.
The connection between eye health and mental wellbeing is an often underappreciated aspect of our overall health.
Our eyes not only perceive the world around us but also provide subtle hints about our inner emotional and mental state. By taking care of our eyes, we can preserve our vision and contribute to our mental health.
Regular eye exams, stress management and a healthy lifestyle play vital roles in nurturing this hidden connection between our eyes and minds, ensuring that we can enjoy clear vision and sound mental wellbeing.