How Is Sleep Related to Eye Health?

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your overall health and well-being. Importantly, it is also closely related to your eye health. Your eyes are among the most crucial organs in your body, but they need help in many ways. For one, they need adequate rest to function. 

The Importance of Sleep for Eye Health

Sleep is crucial for maintaining good eye health. During sleep, your body performs processes that help repair and regenerate tissues, including the eyes. Your eyes are constantly lubricated and hydrated during sleep. Your body produces tears more slowly while you sleep to help conserve moisture. It helps prevent irritation and dryness. 

Sleep lets your eyes recover from the strain of daily activities, such as screen time and reading. Lack of sleep can cause eye problems like dry eyes, eyestrain, and even vision loss.

The Link Between Sleep and Glaucoma

Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Lack of sleep can lead to its development. Eye pressure decreases during sleep and allows better blood flow to the optic nerve. Lack of adequate sleep causes eye pressure to remain elevated, allowing it to damage the optic nerve over time.

Sleep Apnea and Its Effect on Eye Health

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep. These breathing interruptions can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the body, including the eyes. 

It significantly impacts eye health as it can lead to a condition called papilledema, the swelling of the optic nerve. It can cause vision problems and even blindness if left untreated. Sleep apnea can also lead to the development of eye conditions like glaucoma and dry eyes. 

Decreased oxygen levels associated with sleep apnea can lead to changes in the optic nerve and increased pressure in the eye, which are risk factors for the development of glaucoma. Breathing in and out through the mouth during sleep can lead to dry eye syndrome due to lack of moisture in the eye.

Tips for Better Sleep and Eye Health

Getting enough sleep helps promote the health of your eyes. Try to follow a regular sleep schedule. You can do so by going to bed and waking up at the exact time daily. It will help control your body’s inner clock and improve sleep quality.

Limit your screen time, as blue light can disrupt sleep patterns and cause eyestrain. Try to reduce your usage of digital devices or screens before bedtime and use blue light filters on your devices.

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Your lifestyle and age can determine the amount of sleep you need. Adults need eight hours of sleep every night. Teenagers need nine to 10 hours, and younger children require even more. However, individual needs may vary. Some people may require more or less sleep to feel rested. Hence, it is ideal to understand yourself and get the quality of sleep you need.

For more about sleep and eye health, visit Studio Optix at our office in New York, New York. Call (212) 765-4444 to book an appointment today.

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