How Sleep Cycle Impacts Eye Health: Better Vision With Better Sleep

How Sleep Cycle Impacts Eye Health: Better Vision With Better Sleep

Ever toss and turn all night, only to wake up with gritty, irritated eyes?

It’s not a coincidence. And it shouldn’t be ignored!

Sleep keeps your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.

Because just like the rest of your body, your eyes work tirelessly throughout the day:

They focus on near and far objects, adjust to changing light conditions, and constantly blink to keep dust and debris at bay.

The problem is, if you don’t get enough sleep OR your quality of sleep isn’t good enough, your eyes may not get crucial time to recharge and rejuvenate.

Sleep’s nightly reset for your eyes

While you slumber, your hardworking peepers undergo a vital internal renewal process:

  • Flushing out irritants: Imagine tiny dust particles and allergens that build up throughout the day. Sleep allows your eyes to flush them out, keeping them clean and comfortable.
  • Replacing old cells with new: Just like any other part of your body, your eyes contain cells that wear down over time. During sleep, your body replaces these old cells with healthy new ones, ensuring optimal vision.
  • Recharging tear production: Ever woken up with scratchy, dry eyes? Or sticky eyes with stringy tears? Chances are your tear glands haven’t had a chance to fully replenish their moisture reserves, which happens during sleep.

Seek professional advice if you keep waking up with these uncomfortable symptoms — they could be a sign of chronic dry eye disease.

Many issues can arise if this is left unmanaged. Either the dry eye disease itself or its underlying conditions could make your eyes more vulnerable to infection, or increase your risk of developing a stye or chalazion.

     

    The downside of skipping sleep

    Just like a camera battery that needs recharging, your eyes need sufficient sleep to function properly.

    • Short-term discomforts:
      • Gritty or itchy eyes that can appear bloodshot.
      • Sticky eyes in the morning.
      • Dark circles under your eyes.
      • Blurry or hazy vision that’s sensitive to light.
      • Discomfort, especially when using phones, laptops etc.
    • Long-term concerns: Chronic sleep deprivation can make your eyes more vulnerable to serious infections. Studies also suggest it can 3x your risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve. It can also wreak havoc on your mental health, affecting all types of hormonal pathways in your body.

     

    But what if you just can’t sleep? The science of blue light:

    5 ways night time screen use disrupts your health

     

    1. Normally, light receptors in your eyes pick up on the change from day to night and send signals to your brain.
    2. This triggers the production of melatonin, a hormone that tells your body it’s time to wind down.
    3. The problem occurs when night time blue light (usually from phones, laptops, TVs, etc.) disrupts this natural process.
    4. This exposure to blue light can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
    5. This, in turn, can negatively impact your eye health.

    We’ve formed hard-wired habits of using our devices at night time, which is why the first (and most important) solution below may seem difficult.

    But it only takes 2-3 weeks, on average, to form new habits, and you’ll be shocked at how rested you and your eyes feel the next morning!

     

    Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your eyes

    Here are some practical tips to create a sleep environment that promotes both restful sleep and healthy eyes:

    1. Ditch the Tech: Banish electronic devices like phones and laptops from your bedroom. The blue light they emit can disrupt your sleep cycle and eye health. Consider reading a book or listening to calming music before bed instead.
    2. Dim the Lights: Wind down with dim lights in the evening. This helps signal to your brain that it’s time to prepare for sleep. Invest in blackout curtains or an eye mask to minimise light exposure while you sleep.
    3. Cool and Comfortable: Aim for a cool sleeping environment. The ideal temperature for sleep is around 18 degrees Celsius. A cooler environment can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

     

    Give your eyes a break from contact lenses

    If you regularly wear contact lenses, consider giving your eyes a break from them.

    Wearing your glasses instead will allow your eyes to breathe and reduce the risk of infections.

     

    Prioritise eye health – Eye health checks and beyond

    Just like getting regular checkups for your physical health, scheduling regular eye exams is crucial for maintaining good eye health.

    During your eye appointment, your doctor can check for any underlying conditions and ensure your vision remains sharp and healthy.

    A specialist can also discuss if you might be a candidate for Laser Eye Surgery, a more permanent vision correction solution.

     

    LASIK and a good night’s sleep: A winning combination

    For many, the hassle of glasses or contacts make getting a good night’s sleep difficult.

    LASIK Eye Surgery offers a permanent vision correction solution, allowing you to wake up and see the world clearly without relying on corrective lenses.

    During a consultation with a vision correction specialist, you can discuss your sleep habits and overall health to determine if Laser Vision Correction is a good option for you.

    Remember: Sleep is foundational to both physical and mental health, and poor sleep can have a domino effect on your well-being.

    By prioritising healthy sleep habits and incorporating these simple tips, you can give your eyes, and your entire body, the rest they need to thrive!

     

    Ready to explore your vision correction options?

    Schedule a consultation with our vision correction experts to explore the possibilities:

    Book an Appointment

     

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