•Dr Priscilia Imade
This month of June has been focused on the relationship between eye-health and mental health. We need healthy minds to achieve healthy eyes.
In our fast-paced, visually demanding world, the link between the eyes and the mind is more profound than we often realise. While physical vision loss is widely recognised, the emotional and psychological toll it takes on individuals is still largely overlooked.
As a Consultant Optometrist and Public Health Advocate, I have seen firsthand how the health of the eyes can mirror the state of the mind and how the mind, in turn, can impact how we see.
THE OVER LOOKED SIDE OF VISION LOSS
When people begin to lose their sight, whether due to cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, uncorrected refractive error or even prolonged digital device use, it does not just affect their physical ability to see. It begins to affect their identity, independence and emotional stability. Vision loss can lead to anxiety, depression, withdrawal from social life, loss of confidence and in some cases, a sense of hopelessness.
For example, a young professional struggling with digital eye strain may feel daily frustration and fatigue, impacting productivity and mood. An older adult slowly losing vision from glaucoma may silently grieve their declining independence. A student with undiagnosed refractive error might begin to underperform in class and develop low self-esteem. These are not just eye issues, they are mental health concerns in disguise.
THE EYE-MIND CONNECTION
Anatomically, the eyes are direct extensions of the brain. The optic nerve connects the retina to the visual cortex, where images are processed and interpreted.
The visual system also communicates with areas of the brain responsible for memory, emotion and focus. So when the eyes are overstimulated, fatigued, or impaired, the brain responds.
Chronic visual stress can trigger symptoms such as:
• Eye twitching from fatigue
• Blurry or double vision under emotional stress
• Light sensitivity during migraines
• Dry eyes linked to anxiety or antidepressant use
• Sleep disruption due to blue light exposure from screens
All these issues underscore the complex, two-way relationship between mental and visual health.
MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS VISION AND VICE VERSA
Research and clinical observation confirm that:
• People with depression are more likely to report visual disturbances
• High-stress occupations increase the risk of computer vision syndrome
• Anxiety can lead to visual hypersensitivity and poor eye comfort
• Blindness, especially when sudden, is linked with increased risk of suicidal thoughts
At the same time, people with poor vision often report feeling socially isolated, cognitively strained or emotionally low, all of which diminish quality of life.
A Call for Integrated Eye and Mental Health Care:
The time has come to treat vision not just as a physical ability, but as a mental wellness issue too. As healthcare professionals and advocates, we must begin to:
• Include emotional support in vision care, especially for those with chronic or degenerative conditions
• Educate the public about how mental fatigue and screen habits affect their eyes
• Encourage patients to report both visual and psychological symptoms during consultations
• Create awareness around the use of mental health medications and their visual side effects
SIMPLE PRACTICES FOR HEALTHY MINDS AND HEALTHY EYES:
1. Take regular visual breaks : Apply the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye and mental strain
2. Get routine eye exams : Early detection prevents both sight loss and emotional distress
3. Limit screen time before bed : Protect your circadian rhythm and reduce anxiety
4. Wear protective eyewear : Especially under sun or screen exposure
5. Practice gratitude and stress management: For both mental clarity and visual comfort
6. Seek support : Do not wait until your symptoms worsen, talk to your eye doctor and a mental health professional.
Finally, your eyes are more than optical instruments, they are emotional windows. They help you experience life, connect with others and perform daily tasks. Protecting your eyes means protecting your mental well-being.
Similarly, nurturing your mind will help you see more clearly both physically and emotionally.
Let us begin to see vision care through a broader, more compassionate lens, one that honours both healthy minds and healthy eyes. Because the two are inseparably linked.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos.
E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
