STRESS affects all of us from time to time – particularly over the past year. In fact, research shows that 65% of people in the UK have felt more stressed since lockdown restrictions began last March.

While the wider implications stress has on mental health are widely reported, what is lesser known is the impact it can have on other areas of our health. That is why this Stress Awareness Month (April) Specsavers is highlighting how the feeling can affect our sight and hearing and what can be done to help.

Giles Edmonds, Specsavers clinical services director, says: ‘When we’re stressed our pupils tend to dilate to allow more light to enter our eye which helps to let us see potential threats more clearly. However, with stress comes high levels of adrenaline as our fight or flight mode kicks in. This can cause pressure on the eyes and sometimes result in blurred vision.

‘Another side effect that people may experience when it comes to stress is their eyes twitching. This movement in the eyelid occurs through the continuous contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Although harmless it can be uncomfortable and annoying, however the sensation usually doesn’t last long and does tend to resolve itself.

‘The best thing to do when you’re working and feeling stressed is to have a screen break to allow the eye muscles to relax and to take yourself out for some fresh air. Exercise and the outdoors can really help both mental and physical health. It is also important to ensure you’re getting enough sleep for your body, mind and eyes to rest and recover.’

It’s not just our vision which can be impacted by stress but some of our other senses too, and in very extreme cases could cause some hearing loss.

Gordon Harrison, Specsavers chief audiologist, says: ‘Stress has a similar effect on hearing as it does with sight and it can make you focus on particular sounds which can increase stress levels. The overproduction of adrenaline when we’re stressed can cause a reduction in blood flow to the ears. However, the tiny hair cells within our ear which are important in allowing us to hear, rely on a constant supply of blood, without this they can become damaged – sometimes permanently – which can lead to hearing loss.

‘Tinnitus is another condition which can be triggered or increased by stress. Some people find the condition extremely stressful and can have difficulty separating the tinnitus from other stress triggers. Relaxation techniques and the use of sound therapy can help reduce the impact of the tinnitus.’

He adds: ‘In these instances hearing aids can help as they can help limit background noise to enable the user to focus on what they need to listen to[3] and help reduce the strain they often feel to listen to conversations.’