Published: 30 March 2017 | Updated: 30 September 2026 | Author: Smart Vision Optometry
Editorial and clinical update — 30 September 2026: The original article below is preserved from the verified pre-edit source, including its wording and historical claims. The relationship between anxiety and visual symptoms is complex: symptoms may coexist, but an eye or medical condition must not be dismissed as anxiety without assessment. Current Australian eye-safety guidance below should be relied on where older wording differs.
Eye Health and Anxiety: What You Need to Know
Over two million Australians live with anxiety, impacting their wellbeing, personal relationships, career and productivity. Anxiety affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men, making it the most common mental health condition in this country [1].
How Anxiety Affects Your Eyes
Nearly 12 million Australians have reported having a long term eye condition. 1 in 5 children suffer from an undetected vision problem and 80% of people with vision problems could have had these issues prevented had they have been treated earlier.
How are anxiety and vision problems related?
It is no surprise that the eyes are sensory organs and that anxiety symptoms are often the result of heightened senses due to a stress response. As Behavioural Optometrists we understand that our eyes and brain work together to allow us to process and react to what we see. These reactions are where the behavioural component of what we do comes into play. They might be a fight or flight response as the body attempts to cope with stressors in the environment. This response and the coping mechanisms associated with it are at the root of many anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety commonly leads to various vision distortions. Elevated adrenaline levels puts pressure on the eyes and can result in blurred vision. Visual irregularities like seeing stars, shadows or flashing spots can occur as a result of anxiety onset. Individuals with anxiety often report that they notice things out of the corner of their eye that aren’t there or experience diminished peripheral vision and narrowed or tunnel-like sight. These occurrences can be quite concerning and lead to heightened levels of stress.
But it goes both ways. Often vision problems lead to many anxiety symptoms. When the two eyes do not work well together as a team (binocular vision disorders), tasks such as copying from a board at school become increasingly difficult causing visual fatigue, headaches and poor comprehension levels. This can lower academic performance, consequently adding extra demand on the child to work harder and increasing anxiety levels. Other visual problems like cataracts and glaucoma make tasks such as driving at night and navigating through crowds of people very difficult and so everyday tasks become sources of great discomfort and stress for the individual.
It is important to remember that visual problems and anxiety symptoms can come and go rarely, occur frequently, or persist indefinitely [2]. They can be debilitating and make day to day life difficult. Importantly, though, help is only ever a phone call away. If you are living with anxiety and suspect that your visual system could be at fault or at a least a contributing factor, please contact us for an assessment and take comfort in knowing that these types of symptoms can be managed.
Have Anxiety and Vision Problems?
Schedule a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment Today!
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007. Cat. no. (4326.0). Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics
[2] Anxiety Centre: Eye vision problems
Current evidence and clinical context
Healthdirect Australia’s blurred-vision guidance explains that blurred vision can result from refractive error, dry eye, cataract, glaucoma, retinal disease, migraine, head injury, medicines and other medical conditions. This means a visual symptom is not specific enough to diagnose anxiety or an eye disorder on its own.
Healthdirect advises prompt assessment for ongoing vision changes and urgent medical attention for sudden blurred vision or vision loss. New flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or dark curtain can also signal a retinal emergency and should not be attributed to stress or anxiety.
Related Smart Vision reading
Sudden blurry vision and warning signs · Screen-related eye strain · Contact Smart Vision Optometry
Frequently asked questions
Should visual symptoms automatically be blamed on anxiety?
No. Visual changes have many possible eye, neurological, medical and medication-related causes. An eye or medical assessment may be needed to identify the cause.
When is a change in vision urgent?
Sudden blurred vision or vision loss needs urgent medical assessment. Sudden flashes, many new floaters, or a shadow or dark curtain in the vision can also indicate a retinal emergency.
Can anxiety and an eye problem exist at the same time?
Yes. Anxiety symptoms and an eye condition can coexist. Treating one does not establish the cause of the other, so persistent visual concerns should be assessed on their own findings.
