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Inadequate Sleep: How Does It Affect Your Eyes?

April 21, 2023

On March 18, World Sleep Day, we have the chance to spread the word about how important sleep is to our overall well-being. Some people may have difficulty getting enough sleep, and a number of things can affect how well you sleep. We all know that getting enough sleep is important for maintaining our health and keeping us attentive, but have you ever considered the effects that sleep deprivation may have on your eyes?

We sleep for 2,900 hours annually on average, or roughly one-third of our lives. Although it appears that we are merely lying still and not responding, our brain and eyes are actually quite active!

Every aspect of the body, including the immune system and cognition, benefits from sleep. Obtaining enough sleep will keep you alert, make you more resistant to infection, and provide your eyes with the moisture and rest they need to function at their best.

What do your eyes do while you’re sleeping?

While sleeping, you frequently alternate between two types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM). Your eye movements slow down and eventually halt during non-REM sleep, and your eyes stay closed during REM sleep but they move rapidly. REM sleep is when dreams happen.

Our eyes slowly roll, open, and close during Stage 1 of sleep. You are in phases 2–4 of deep sleep, and your eyes are closed. There is a rapid eye movement stage of the sleep cycle. Our bodies become more still and our eyeballs move quickly behind our eyelids during REM sleep. REM sleep is when dreams happen. Although it’s unclear why our eyes are moving so much during this phase, it might be because we’re watching the scenes in our dreams.

Why does a lack of sleep make my eyes hurt?

After not getting enough sleep, your eyes may feel strained, dry, and itchy the next day. Dry eyes, blood vessel bursts, and eye strain can all result from lack of sleep.

Throughout the day, your eyes suffer a great deal. Your eyes are constantly at work from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. It’s crucial that they have ample recovery time when you’re sleeping. By getting enough sleep, you can provide your eyes with the rest and moisture they need to function properly when you wake up.

What risks are associated with sleep deprivation?

Lack of sleep not only results in puffy eyes and dark circles but also has the following negative consequences and dangers for your overall eye health:

  • Distorted vision
  • Eye pain
  • blurring of vision
  • Eye twitches
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Eye infection
  • Glaucoma
  • Dry eye conditions

Why do you need to close your eyes to sleep?

You must close your eyes while you sleep for a lot of reasons. Closed eyes filter off light, which keeps the brain from being stimulated. Although your eyelids assist in distributing tears across the surface of your eyes while you sleep, closing your eyes to go to sleep also prevents dry eyes.

Those who sleep with their eyes open typically suffer from a excessive dryness of the exposed part of the eye which also increases the risk of infection, which is referred to as nocturnal lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy.

How to get a sound night’s sleep

Your eyes require at least five hours of sleep each night to completely recover from the day. Here are our top suggestions for improving your sleep quality and preventing sleep loss if you have difficulty falling asleep:

  • Minimize your exposure to light (and screens) at least two hours before bedtime.
  • Get as much sun as you can during the day.
  • Don’t drink alcohol at night.
  • To sleep, think about donning an eye mask.
  • Regular exercise is advised
  • Avoid eating within three hours of bedtime.
  • When utilizing screens, put on blue-light-blocking glasses.
  • No matter what time you go to bed, get up every morning at the same time.

Visit us at Ojas – Eye Hospital in Mumbai

A typical component of the sleep cycle is eye movement when you’re asleep. You should visit an eye doctor if you have an eye issue that keeps you up at night or if you awaken with dry eyes, aching eyes, or blurry vision.

Make sure you get enough sleep for the sake of your general health and the health of your eyes. For adults, that is a full 7 to 9 hours, and for children, it is 10 to 11 hours, and even more for infants and toddlers. Consider visiting Ojas – Eye Hospital in Mumbai for better sleep if you’re one of the many people who have sleep issues.

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