Consequently the authors proposed that sleep position may result in an asymmetrical impact on the ocular surface potentially due to differential exposure to circulating room air currents.Īwareness of such potential ocular surface asymmetry based on sleep position and air flow may help explain asymmetry in symptoms and may also help use targeted interventions to help improve the ocular surface. 3 High airflow in the room, such as in an air-conditioned room or in the presence of a ceiling or table fan, can increase the extent of moisture loss from our eyes and result in exacerbation of the already relatively dry ocular surface during sleep. 1, 2 It is also known that tear composition changes during sleep with a state akin to subclinical inflammation. There is considerable evidence that tear production is reduced during sleep and that the eye is in a relatively dry state. This can occasionally lead to symptoms and signs. In some individuals, the eyes may remain partly open during some parts of the sleep cycle (physiological lagophthalmos). The act of sleeping involves closing our eyes. In more severe cases, surgery may be performed, when a gold weight is implanted into the eyelid to help keep it closed at night.We spend almost a third of our life sleeping. It may help to sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom to keep the air moist. Both the light that is not properly blocked by your eyelids, and the irritated eyes will not let you sleep as soundly as you could have otherwise.Īs treatment, your doctor may prescribe eye drops, moisture goggles or medical-grade hypoallergenic tape that is gently applied to keep the eyelids closed. It also negatively affects the quality of your sleep. While nocturnal lagophthalmos is generally a dangerous condition, it can lead to eye problems down the road, such as eye infections or exposure keratopathy (damage to the cornea). If your eyes are not fully closed that means they’re not properly lubricated. People who sleep with their eyes open often wake up with red eyes or blurry vision, or eyes that feel dry or irritated. How do you know if you have nocturnal lagophthalmos? Unless you have a partner who will be properly freaked out witnessing you snore with your eyes half open, you won’t know it with any certainty.īut there are some common symptoms that might point to this condition. Nocturnal lagophthalmos can also be simply due to genetics. ![]() These problems can come as a result of injury or illness, such as stroke, Bell’s palsy (a condition that causes temporary paralysis or weakness in facial muscles), a disorder Moebius syndrome, which causes problems with cranial nerves, or autoimmune disorders such as Graves’ disease which causes bulging eyes.īut sometimes, there is no clear cause or underlying medical problem. ![]() The most common causes of nocturnal lagophthalmos are problems with facial muscles, nerves or skin around the eyes. This condition is called nocturnal lagophthalmos and it affects about 1 in 5 people! Sleeping with eyes open: what causes nocturnal lagophthalmos? Have you ever entered your bedroom late at night and started talking to your partner who was chilling out on the bed, just to hear them snore loudly in response? While lying there with their eyes open? No, they are not faking it, they really are sleeping.
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