• Doctors
    • Eddie Kadrmas, MD
    • Daniel J. Townsend, MD
    • Aimee Gray, OD
    • Ashley Sousa, OD
  • Patients
    • Resources >
      • Eye Health & Care Blog
      • Retina Digest
    • CV-19 Statement
    • Eye Conditions >
      • Cataracts
      • Common Eye Problems >
        • Allergies
        • Amblyopia
        • Astigmatism
        • Blepharitis
        • Chalazion / Stye
        • Conjunctivitis
        • Corneal Abrasion
        • Floaters & Flashes
        • Hyperopia / Farsightedness
        • Myopia / Nearsightedness
        • Presbyopia
        • Strabismus
      • Corneal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Corneal Ulcers
        • Fuchs’ Dystrophy
        • Herpes Zoster / Shingles
        • Keratitis
        • Keratoconus
        • Pterygium
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Eyelid Diseases & Disorders >
        • Dermatochalasis
        • Ectropion
        • Entropion
        • Eyelid Lesion
        • Ptosis
        • Tear Duct Obstruction
        • Tumor
      • Eye Trauma / Injury >
        • Blunt Trauma
        • Chemical Injury
        • Penetrating / Perforating Injury
      • Glaucoma >
        • Open Angle Glaucoma >
          • iStent
        • Narrow Angle Glaucoma
        • Neovascular Glaucoma
        • Inflammatory Glaucoma
      • Macular Diseases & Disorders >
        • Macular Degeneration
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
      • Neurological Eye Diseases >
        • Blepharospasm
        • Double Vision
        • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
        • Stroke / Visual Field Defect
        • Temporal Arteritis
      • Retinal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Retinal Tears & Detachments
        • Retinal Vascular Diseases
      • Uveitis & Iritis
    • Videos >
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Cataract
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Children's Vision
      • Common Eye Problems
      • Corneal Conditions
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Glaucoma
      • LASIK Over 45
      • LASIK Under 45
      • Macular Degeneration
      • Plastic Eye Surgery
      • Retinal Conditions
      • Refractive Errors
      • Routine Eye Exams
    • Forms & Policies >
      • New Patient Forms
      • HIPAA Policy
      • Referral Forms
    • Financial Information
  • Services
    • Routine Eye Exams >
      • Children
      • Adults
    • Hearing Therapy
    • Specialized Eye Exams >
      • Dilated Eye Exam / Slit Lamp Examination
      • Fluorescein Angiogram
      • Indocyanine Green Angiogram
      • Nerve Fiber Analysis
      • Optical Coherence Tomography
      • Refraction
      • Tonometry
      • Visual Acuity Testing
      • Visual Field Testing
    • Medical, Injection & Surgical / Laser Eye Care
    • Contact Lenses >
      • Contact Lens Types
      • Contact Lens Care & Safety
    • Oculoplastic Surgery & Cosmetic Procedures >
      • Blepharoplasty
      • BOTOX®
      • Restylane®
  • Locations
    • Plymouth
    • Wareham
    • Mashpee
    • Surgery Centers
  • About
    • News
    • Affiliations
    • Patient Reviews
  • Careers
  • Contact
Kadrmas Eye Care New England
  • Doctors
    • Eddie Kadrmas, MD
    • Daniel J. Townsend, MD
    • Aimee Gray, OD
    • Ashley Sousa, OD
  • Patients
    • Resources >
      • Eye Health & Care Blog
      • Retina Digest
    • CV-19 Statement
    • Eye Conditions >
      • Cataracts
      • Common Eye Problems >
        • Allergies
        • Amblyopia
        • Astigmatism
        • Blepharitis
        • Chalazion / Stye
        • Conjunctivitis
        • Corneal Abrasion
        • Floaters & Flashes
        • Hyperopia / Farsightedness
        • Myopia / Nearsightedness
        • Presbyopia
        • Strabismus
      • Corneal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Corneal Ulcers
        • Fuchs’ Dystrophy
        • Herpes Zoster / Shingles
        • Keratitis
        • Keratoconus
        • Pterygium
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Eyelid Diseases & Disorders >
        • Dermatochalasis
        • Ectropion
        • Entropion
        • Eyelid Lesion
        • Ptosis
        • Tear Duct Obstruction
        • Tumor
      • Eye Trauma / Injury >
        • Blunt Trauma
        • Chemical Injury
        • Penetrating / Perforating Injury
      • Glaucoma >
        • Open Angle Glaucoma >
          • iStent
        • Narrow Angle Glaucoma
        • Neovascular Glaucoma
        • Inflammatory Glaucoma
      • Macular Diseases & Disorders >
        • Macular Degeneration
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
      • Neurological Eye Diseases >
        • Blepharospasm
        • Double Vision
        • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
        • Stroke / Visual Field Defect
        • Temporal Arteritis
      • Retinal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Retinal Tears & Detachments
        • Retinal Vascular Diseases
      • Uveitis & Iritis
    • Videos >
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Cataract
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Children's Vision
      • Common Eye Problems
      • Corneal Conditions
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Glaucoma
      • LASIK Over 45
      • LASIK Under 45
      • Macular Degeneration
      • Plastic Eye Surgery
      • Retinal Conditions
      • Refractive Errors
      • Routine Eye Exams
    • Forms & Policies >
      • New Patient Forms
      • HIPAA Policy
      • Referral Forms
    • Financial Information
  • Services
    • Routine Eye Exams >
      • Children
      • Adults
    • Hearing Therapy
    • Specialized Eye Exams >
      • Dilated Eye Exam / Slit Lamp Examination
      • Fluorescein Angiogram
      • Indocyanine Green Angiogram
      • Nerve Fiber Analysis
      • Optical Coherence Tomography
      • Refraction
      • Tonometry
      • Visual Acuity Testing
      • Visual Field Testing
    • Medical, Injection & Surgical / Laser Eye Care
    • Contact Lenses >
      • Contact Lens Types
      • Contact Lens Care & Safety
    • Oculoplastic Surgery & Cosmetic Procedures >
      • Blepharoplasty
      • BOTOX®
      • Restylane®
  • Locations
    • Plymouth
    • Wareham
    • Mashpee
    • Surgery Centers
  • About
    • News
    • Affiliations
    • Patient Reviews
  • Careers
  • Contact

Sleep & Your Eyes | National Sleep Awareness Week

3/1/2019

 
Picture
We all know getting enough sleep is essential for good health. Sleep affects almost all areas of our lives, from our moods to our weight. Inadequate sleep and sleep disorders can even affect our eyes.
 
Unfortunately, most of us do not get enough sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, about one-third of adults do not get enough sleep. Everything from stress to work can interfere with getting enough rest.  
​
March 11 through 17 is National Sleep Awareness Week, and it’s a good reminder to focus on getting the rest we need.
​

How Lack of Sleep May Affect the Eyes

Lack of sleep can leave our eyes feeling tired, but that’s not all. Skimping on sleep may also have the following effects on our eyes:
 
Dark Circles
If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter or fell short on sleep, you know it might show in your eyes. It’s common to have dark circles, puffiness, or red eyes from lack of sleep. It’s not entirely clear why lack of sleep causes cosmetic eye issues, but not getting enough sleep may increase the retention of fluid and blood around the eyes.
 
Increased Dryness
While we sleep, our bodies uses the downtime to repair cells. When it comes to our eyes, sleep deprivation may affect tear production. In one study published in the Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, the results indicated that participants that had sleep deprivation had reduced tear secretion, as opposed to the control group. Reduced tear production and increased dryness can lead to a gritty and irritated feeling in the eyes.
 
Eye Twitching (Myokymia)
Occasional eyelid spasms or twitching is common. Involuntary eyelid spasms do not affect vision, but they can be annoying, especially if they are frequent. The spasms are a result of nerve impulses. In most cases, doctors are not sure why they occur, but according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), eyelid twitching tends to happen most often when we are tried.
​

Possible Eye Complications Related to Sleep Apnea

The effects of having a poor night’s sleep from time-to-time are temporary and primarily cosmetic and annoying. If you have an untreated sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, however, it can have serious consequences for your vision.
 
Sleep apnea involves pauses in breathing due to an obstruction that blocks the airway. In many cases, obstruction occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat relax. The pauses in breathing are brief, but they can cause oxygen levels to drop and blood pressure to rise. Over time, untreated sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, including a heart attack and stroke.
 
According to the AAO, people with sleep apnea also have a higher chance of developing certain eye problems or exacerbating existing underlying eye conditions. For example, people with untreated sleep apnea may have an increased risk of retinal problems, floppy eyelid syndrome (loose, floppy eyelids), and glaucoma. The decrease in oxygen and rise in blood pressure that can occur with sleep apnea may affect the optic nerves and may contribute to the development of glaucoma.

Tips for Getting Better Sleep

If you think you may have a sleep disorder, it’s vital to see your doctor. Treating sleep disorders is one of the most important things you can do for your health. There are also additional things anyone can do to improve their sleep and keep their eyes healthy, such as:
  • Keep to a regular sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking the same time each day helps your body develop a set sleep schedule. Even on days off from work, it’s important to stick to the same schedule.
  • Exercise regularly: It might seem that exercise would stimulate you and prevent sleep, but getting regular exercise may help you sleep sounder. Just be sure not to exercise too close to bedtime.
  • Watch your caffeine intake: Caffeine can keep you awake at night. Limit caffeine several hours before bed. Remember, coffee and energy drinks are not the only things that contains caffeine. Certain medications, chocolate, and cola also contain caffeine.
  • Create the right environment for sleep: If your bedroom is not sleep-friendly, it might be hard to get a good night’s sleep. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Make sure it’s dark enough and quiet to help you stay asleep.
  • Limit screen time before bed: Put your electronic devices away a few hours before bed. It’s helpful to give your mind a rest. Plus, the light from the devices can trick your brain into thinking it is daylight and decrease melatonin production, which plays a role in sleep.
 
Sleep is a critical component to maintaining good eye health. Treating sleep disorders and practicing good sleep hygiene can help you get proper shuteye and our bodies restore.
 
If you have any questions about your eye health or sleep conditions that may be affecting your eye health or you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.
 
Here’s to wishing you great sleep!

Comments are closed.

    EYE HEALTH BLOG

    CLICK HERE to sign up for our eye health / care newsletter and have it delivered automatically to your inbox each month!

    Categories

    All
    AMD
    Astigmatism
    Blepharoplasty
    Cataract
    Children's Eye Health
    Color-blindness
    Conjunctivitis
    Contact Lens
    Cornea
    Cosmetic Eye Surgery
    Covid 19
    Diabetic Eye Disease
    Driving
    Dry Eyes
    Eye Allergies
    Eye Cancer
    Eye Exam
    Eye Health & Safety
    Eye Infections
    Eye Strain
    Glaucoma
    Hyperopia
    Injuries
    Iris
    Low Vision
    Lupus
    Macula
    Myasthenia Gravis
    Myopia
    Organ Donation
    Photokeratitis
    Photophobia
    Presbyopia
    Retina
    Retinopathy
    Scleritis
    Senior Eye Health
    Sports
    Stroke
    Stye
    Uvea
    Vision Correction
    Vision Loss
    Women's Eye Health

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    May 2015
    October 2013
    January 2013
    September 2007
    September 2006
    February 2006
    March 2005
    December 2004
    October 2004
    December 2002
    July 2002

    RSS Feed


    Picture
Kadrmas Eye Care New England
55 Commerce Way, Plymouth, MA 02360
14 Tobey Road, Wareham, MA 02571
133 Falmouth Road (Rt 28), Mashpee, MA 02649
Phone Number:
1-508-746-8600

Hours:
Monday through Friday — 8 AM – 4:30 PM
KadrmasEyeCare.com Privacy Policy  — Disclaimer of Medical Liability
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Doctors
    • Eddie Kadrmas, MD
    • Daniel J. Townsend, MD
    • Aimee Gray, OD
    • Ashley Sousa, OD
  • Patients
    • Resources >
      • Eye Health & Care Blog
      • Retina Digest
    • CV-19 Statement
    • Eye Conditions >
      • Cataracts
      • Common Eye Problems >
        • Allergies
        • Amblyopia
        • Astigmatism
        • Blepharitis
        • Chalazion / Stye
        • Conjunctivitis
        • Corneal Abrasion
        • Floaters & Flashes
        • Hyperopia / Farsightedness
        • Myopia / Nearsightedness
        • Presbyopia
        • Strabismus
      • Corneal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Corneal Ulcers
        • Fuchs’ Dystrophy
        • Herpes Zoster / Shingles
        • Keratitis
        • Keratoconus
        • Pterygium
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Eyelid Diseases & Disorders >
        • Dermatochalasis
        • Ectropion
        • Entropion
        • Eyelid Lesion
        • Ptosis
        • Tear Duct Obstruction
        • Tumor
      • Eye Trauma / Injury >
        • Blunt Trauma
        • Chemical Injury
        • Penetrating / Perforating Injury
      • Glaucoma >
        • Open Angle Glaucoma >
          • iStent
        • Narrow Angle Glaucoma
        • Neovascular Glaucoma
        • Inflammatory Glaucoma
      • Macular Diseases & Disorders >
        • Macular Degeneration
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
      • Neurological Eye Diseases >
        • Blepharospasm
        • Double Vision
        • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
        • Stroke / Visual Field Defect
        • Temporal Arteritis
      • Retinal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Retinal Tears & Detachments
        • Retinal Vascular Diseases
      • Uveitis & Iritis
    • Videos >
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Cataract
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Children's Vision
      • Common Eye Problems
      • Corneal Conditions
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Glaucoma
      • LASIK Over 45
      • LASIK Under 45
      • Macular Degeneration
      • Plastic Eye Surgery
      • Retinal Conditions
      • Refractive Errors
      • Routine Eye Exams
    • Forms & Policies >
      • New Patient Forms
      • HIPAA Policy
      • Referral Forms
    • Financial Information
  • Services
    • Routine Eye Exams >
      • Children
      • Adults
    • Hearing Therapy
    • Specialized Eye Exams >
      • Dilated Eye Exam / Slit Lamp Examination
      • Fluorescein Angiogram
      • Indocyanine Green Angiogram
      • Nerve Fiber Analysis
      • Optical Coherence Tomography
      • Refraction
      • Tonometry
      • Visual Acuity Testing
      • Visual Field Testing
    • Medical, Injection & Surgical / Laser Eye Care
    • Contact Lenses >
      • Contact Lens Types
      • Contact Lens Care & Safety
    • Oculoplastic Surgery & Cosmetic Procedures >
      • Blepharoplasty
      • BOTOX®
      • Restylane®
  • Locations
    • Plymouth
    • Wareham
    • Mashpee
    • Surgery Centers
  • About
    • News
    • Affiliations
    • Patient Reviews
  • Careers
  • Contact