How Stress Response Links to Glaucoma

• Biological Response to Stress When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can affect your eye pressure. Elevated cortisol levels can increase intraocular pressure (IOP), a key factor in glaucoma.
• Impact on Eye Pressure Stress can cause spikes in IOP, which isn’t great news for your eyes. Research has shown that these stress-induced pressure spikes can make glaucoma worse, so managing stress is crucial.
• Anxiety and Glaucoma Progression Living with chronic anxiety can lead to consistently high IOP, accelerating glaucoma progression. Studies have found a link between high anxiety levels and more severe glaucoma, highlighting the importance of addressing anxiety.
• Psychological Impact of Glaucoma Being diagnosed with glaucoma can be stressful and lead to anxiety and depression. This emotional toll can affect how well you stick to your treatment plan, making it even more important to manage these feelings.

Behavioral Factors

Stress can significantly influence your behavior and lifestyle, which may, in turn, affect the development and progression of glaucoma.

Let’s dive into how this happens.

• Poor Sleep Patterns: Stress and anxiety can disrupt your sleep, and poor sleep is linked to higher IOP.
• Unhealthy Life Choices: Stress can lead to unhealthy habits like poor diet and lack of exercise, which can negatively impact your eye health.
• Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can affect your eye pressure.
• Medication Non-Adherence: Anxiety and depression can make it harder to stick to your glaucoma medication schedule, which can worsen your condition.

What to do 

1. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress and keep your IOP in check.
2. Regular Exercise: Staying active not only improves your overall health but also helps manage stress and eye pressure.
3. Professional Support: Talking to a therapist or counselor can provide you with strategies to cope with anxiety related to glaucoma.
4. Adherence to Treatment Plans: Following your prescribed treatments and keeping up with regular eye check-ups are vital for managing glaucoma.
5. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and limiting caffeine can support your eye health and reduce stress.

Managing glaucoma involves more than just medical treatment; it’s about caring for your whole self. Stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being play crucial roles in this journey. Remember, taking steps to reduce stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle can greatly benefit your eye health and overall quality of life.

https://glaucoma.org/articles/the-role-of-stress-and-anxiety-in-glaucoma-understanding-and-management

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