Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

K. Lekshmi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Kerala, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Myopia is a condition where both the lens and the cornea are too strong or the eyeball too long that the parallel rays entering the eye converge into focus anterior to the light sensitive area of the retina. Studies indicate stress disorders may be characterized by neurological disorders like impairment in taste, vision, smell and tongue movements (Hussain. A, 1999). Stress is found to accelerate the progression of myopia. In tissues directly affected by stress a Local Adaptation Syndrome (LAS) can occur, triggering selective exhaustion of muscles, eyes or inflamed tissues all represented in the final stages only in LAS. LAS in turn stimulate the hypothalamic pituitary adrenalin inducing the production of Cortisol. Cortisol in excess in combination with reduced level of testosterone levels indicates myopia (Balacco, 1982). The physiological effect of stress is also influenced by the psychological makeup of the individual, as in the case of personality. One of the most accurate and concise measure of personality is through self report inventories like five factor inventory of personality. The five factors in consideration are extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience. The present study attempts to trace the effect of eye relaxation practices on myopic patients taking into account the influence of personality. The sample included in the study is 42 myopic patients. Intervention involving ten sessions of eye relaxation practices are given to the sample. Analysis of the results indicates that openness to experience can be taken as an individual personality dimension that influences the change in visual acuity affected through eye relaxation practices.

Keywords

Myopia, Relaxation, Personality, Visual Acuity.

Full Text

     

K. Lekshmi ¹, Immanuel Thomas ²

Affiliations
1 University of Kerala, Kerala, IN
2 Department of Psychology, University of Kerala, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Astigmatism is a condition were parallel rays of light entering the eye fails to produce a single clear image on the retina. It gets converged into different points. Children born with astigmatic condition normally gets corrected on its own in ten weeks. In some cases the rectification does not happen resulting in the need to use spectacles to ensure clarity of vision. Even during usage of spectacles most astigmatic patients have eye strain which further deteriorates vision. However, adjustment to spectacles is also seen among constant users. In the present study an attempt is made to assess the effect of eye relaxation intervention of visual acuity of the respondents, taking into consideration the period of usage of spectacles. The sample included 22 respondents; 11 in the experimental group and 11 in the control group. Initial visual acuity of the sample was noted. The experimental group alone was given training in eye relaxation practices. After a period of two months the visual acuity of both the experimental group and control group are noted again. Significant improvement in the level of visual acuity was perceived in the experimental group; with duration of ailment playing a pronounced role in the rate of change of visual acuity in the left eye.

Keywords

Eye, Relaxation, Visual Acuity.

Full Text