The Extensive Relationship Between Eyes and Mind: Understanding the Psychology Behind Your Vision.

The perception of sight, commonly regarded as a direct and objective interpretation of reality, is, in fact, a deeply subjective process actively modulated by an individual's psychological state. This article explores the burgeoning field of psychosomatic ophthalmology, which investigates the profou...

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Publicado en:Optometry & Visual Performance Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 170 - 174
Autor principal: Dhakal, Pratyush
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Optometric Extension Program Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
      vid: 14
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      pub: Optometric Extension Program
      place: Lutherville Timonium, Maryland
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        atl: The Extensive Relationship Between Eyes and Mind: Understanding the Psychology Behind Your Vision.
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        au: Dhakal, Pratyush
        affil: Lead Clinical Research Coordinator, Chattanooga Eye Institute Optometry degree, Lumbini Eye Institute, Nepal
      sug:
        subj:
          Vision
          Visual Perception
          Anxiety
          Eye Diseases Psychosocial Factors
          Cognition
          Psychological Distress
          Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis
          Glaucoma
          Macular Degeneration
          Diabetic Retinopathy
      ab: The perception of sight, commonly regarded as a direct and objective interpretation of reality, is, in fact, a deeply subjective process actively modulated by an individual's psychological state. This article explores the burgeoning field of psychosomatic ophthalmology, which investigates the profound impact of human psychology on visual health and perception. It synthesizes evidence from ophthalmology, neuroscience, and psychology to argue for a holistic, mind-body approach to eye care. The article details the neurobiological pathways through which psychological distress, particularly chronic stress and anxiety, adversely affects ocular health. It elaborates on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sustained release of cortisol, which can impair blood flow, increase inflammation, and disrupt the blood-retinal barrier. These mechanisms are discussed as contributing factors in the progression of sight-threatening diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye disease. Furthermore, the review examines how transient emotional states and cognitive processes like attention actively shape visual perception. Evidence is presented demonstrating that mood can alter the perceived saturation of color, while attentional biases, influenced by fears and desires, can change how we interpret visual scenes and even perceive physical space. The influence of stable personality traits, such as neuroticism and optimism, on perceptual biases and long-term visual health outcomes is also considered.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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