Why do some people sleep with their eyes open?

Not everyone sleeps with their eyes completely closed. This is normal? Maybe it happens to you and you didn’t realize it.

It may seem strange, sound like myth or fiction. But not; It’s something that happens. Sleeping with your eyes open is known as lagophthalmos . If it occurs at night, it will be said to be nocturnal.

It is a situation that occurs in some people who cannot completely close their eyelids when sleeping . This has some consequences, which could affect eye health.

Why is it possible to sleep with your eyes open?

Sleeping is something we do every day; except in exceptional circumstances. In general, the first condition necessary to sleep is to close your eyes. The second, be sleepy; although the order may vary.

There are several reasons why humans need to sleep with their eyelids closed. First of all, the eyes are given a rest, which is protected and hydrated, and the facial muscles are also relaxed.

On the other hand, closed eyelids filter light, which is what stimulates the brain to be awake. On the contrary, darkness is associated with night, sleep and rest, in relation to the circadian rhythm.

In nocturnal lagophthalmos, the person does not completely close their eyes. However, this does not prevent him from falling asleep .

Causes of lagophthalmia

Lagophthalmia can be due to hereditary causes , in people who were born with eyelids that cannot close completely. It may also be due to some underlying disorder, condition or problem, of muscular or nervous origin, due to injury or infection. The common denominator is that the orbicularis oculi muscle is weakened, affected and paralyzed.

Among the main secondary causes why a person does not completely close their eyes when sleeping are the following:

• Bell’s palsy.
• Lyme’s desease.
• Moebius syndrome.
• Cerebrovascular accident.
• Guillain Barre syndrome.
• Glaucoma and optic neuropathy.
• Graves’ disease and other thyroid disorders.
• Blepharoplasty or surgery that affects the movement of the eyelids.
• Tumor or surgery to remove a cranial tumor, such as acoustic neuroma.
• Botulism, chickenpox, mumps, poliomyelitis, leprosy and diphtheria, among other infections.

Symptoms associated with sleeping with eyes open

Part of the sclera and tear ducts are exposed in lagophthalmia. So sleeping with your eyes open one night every now and then may not cause major problems. But the persistence of this situation can have consequences .

Among the main associated symptoms are the following:

• Blurry vision.
• Exposure keratitis.
• Redness and tearing.
• Sensitivity to daylight.
• Dryness in the ocular mucosa.
• Sensation of a foreign body in the eye.

In mild cases, the condition may not go beyond a problem of dryness . Something that is easy to solve with the use of artificial tears.

However, when nocturnal lagophthalmos becomes a chronic and severe problem, prolonged dehydration of the mucosa can have serious consequences. For example, eye infections and even vision loss.

Regarding the quality of rest, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology , there will not always be a deterioration in sleep in those who remain with their eyes open. However, the same institution clarifies that it is possible that dry eyes do cause alterations in the nocturnal continuity of rest, due to discomfort.

It can be fixed?

Most of the symptoms mentioned can be experienced upon waking up, without knowing why they occur, since the person does not see themselves sleeping. These signs should constitute a warning .

Through an examination, the ophthalmologist can check whether the eyelids close completely. Tests include measuring between the eyelids with a ruler, observing the force used to close the eyes, and checking with an instrument called a slit lamp.

If dry eye is damaging the eye, drops and ointments will be indicated . Additionally, artificial tears may be prescribed for continued use to prevent damage.

In the most severe cases, surgery becomes an option to consider. It is possible to perform a graft to lengthen the eyelids or add weight to them to help them close.

Another suggested alternative, to avoid having to resort to surgery, includes using the weights on the eyelids from the outside, without placing them inside with an intervention. This can also be facilitated with masks. Likewise, you have the option of placing surgical adhesive tape at night, like those used during operations.

we need to close our eyes

Some animals have a membrane, thanks to which they should not close their eyes at certain times. This is not the case with human beings. We should close them momentarily when we blink and for a longer time at rest time.

In most people, the eyelids close completely and naturally when sleeping , relaxing the facial muscles. But there are others for whom sleeping with eyes open is not a synonym for being alert, but a reality.

However, far from being an advantage, this can be a problem that affects the health of your eyes, your vision and your rest. Although it cannot be prevented, early detection would be of great help to begin timely treatment as soon as possible.