It is said that our eyes are the windows to our souls. Studying our eyes and eye health can be a useful tool in analyzing the many benefits of meditation. This post will explore how stress and mental health affects eye health, what the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) is and how the study of all this informs us of the benefits of meditation. To begin, it is best to go back and recall why our body works the way it does.
In human evolution, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system developed. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) enables our “fight or flight” response and is activated when we are in danger and require self-preservation. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) on the other hand is the “rest and digest” mode that is turned on at all other times. In more ancient history, PNS activation was dominant more often. However, modern life is full of stressors, and modern humans find themselves more frequently activating the SNS. Regarding the eyes, the SNS system dilates the pupils so that our vision captures more to properly run through terrain while escaping a predator for example. Our PNS causes constriction of our pupils and activates the tear ducts. Therefore, stress can prove unhealthy for our eyes as it can increase the prevalence of Dry Eye Disease and affect vision quality (Lemp, 2008). Stress can also negatively impact our vision by damaging photoreceptor nuclei (O’Steen et al., 1987) or increasing intraocular pressure (Brody et al., 1999) which can increase the risk of glaucoma and optic nerve damage (Sommer, 1989). Evidently, a reduction of stress can increase eye health. It is difficult to avoid the stressful situations of life, and human beings can no longer simply run away from them. However, a daily practice of meditation is a powerful way of reducing stress (Jung et al., 2010) and improving health.
The study of eye movement in depression is another helpful avenue in understanding the benefits of meditation. Studies have shown that a strong indicator of depression is irregular eye movement (Alghowinem et al., 2013). It is characterized by an inability to fixate vision, and difficulty excluding information (Li et al., 2016). This is understandable because uncontrollable unconstructive and repetitive thoughts are often characteristics of depression (Watkins, 2008). Meditation can be extremely useful in this regard as it trains self-regulation and attention control (Hölzel et al., 2011). Studies have even shown that meditation increases the size of the area of the brain that is involved in attention control and visual awareness (Singh et al., 2019). Further evidence that meditation can alleviate symptoms of depression through training the individual to have better control over their mind and remove ruminations.
Lastly, analysis of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) provides insight to the complex interaction the eyes and meditation have on the body. The OCR is a reflex caused by exerting pressure onto the eye globe and causing tension to the extraocular muscles (Berler, 1963; Mirakhur & Jones, 1983). The reflex is caused by the trigeminal nerve sending a signal to the brain, resulting in the vagus nerve sending signals to heart causing bradycardia or slowed heart rate (Mirakhur & Jones, 1983). This relationship between eye strain, the trigeminal nerve and vagus nerve is also evident when vomiting occurs due to glaucoma, or how relieving eye strain helps with indigestion (Paton, 1926). Meditation also plays a part in this interaction, as it also affects the vagus nerve through its breathing techniques to slow heart rate (Breit et al., 2018). Further highlighting the interaction between our eyes, meditation and their effects on our body.
The eyes truly do provide a greater understanding of humanity. Through analysis of the eyes, psychologists can ascertain insights to their patient’s mind. When the mind is unhealthy, and an individual has lost control over it, the eyes show us as much. When stress and anxiety take control, our eyes have an increased risk of worsening as well. The mind and body maintain a symbiotic relationship. When one is unhealthy, so too is the other. Meditation is an amazing practice because it not only grants control over the mind but removes stress to provide bodily health as well. It affects both sides of this relationship. So, be kind to the eyes and meditate!
References
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