Psychosomatics of the eyes

What psychosomatics says

In psychosomatics, the eyes are linked to what you see and to whom you want to see. Conjunctivitis is described through an “out of sight” separation: someone close has disappeared from view. They moved away, you stopped meeting, or they’re nearby but lost in work or a hobby, and you don’t see them anymore.

A stye is linked to something that was unpleasant to see. Fights at home that you have to watch, a scene that hurt you, hurtful words about your looks.

Your eyes aren’t punishing you for what you saw. Psychosomatics helps you notice whom you miss seeing and what hurts to look at, and decide what to do about it.

What it is

Most eye complaints aren’t about something frightening but about everyday life: dryness and stinging, redness, a stye on the eyelid, vision that has got worse far away or up close. These complaints have different causes and need different help.

Dry eyes happen when you don’t make enough tears or they dry up too fast. The US National Eye Institute (NEI) says it’s more common in women, in people over 50, and in those who wear contact lenses. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) adds long hours at a screen without breaks, air conditioning or heating, smoking, some medicines.

Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the lining of the eye and eyelids, is caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, mechanical irritation or medicines, according to the clinical protocol of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health (2024). The NHS says it usually gets better on its own in a couple of weeks.

According to the World Health Organization (2026), at least 2.2 billion people have trouble seeing far away or up close. The main causes worldwide are refractive errors, meaning short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, and cataracts. An ophthalmologist checks refractive errors and fits glasses or lenses, as described in the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health protocol (2023).

How it shows up

• Dryness, stinging, a gritty feeling in your eyes
• Eyes turn red and watery, especially by evening or after a screen
• Eyelids stick together in the morning, there’s discharge
• A painful lump on the edge of your eyelid
• It’s harder to see far away or up close
• Your eyes tire quickly, you get a headache after reading

An ophthalmologist checks your eyes: your vision, your tear film and the back of the eye. For conjunctivitis you can start with a general practitioner.