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Losing an Hour: How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Eyes

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If you find yourself tired at work right now, you’re not alone. In fact a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study finds more than 40 million American workers get fewer than six hours of sleep per night – that’s about 30 percent of the country’s workforce (Source: CBS News).

Most of us are aware that not getting enough shut eye can be harmful for your body; however, you may not know that a lack of rest can be hazardous for your eyesight. While lack of sleep is often blamed for dark circles under your eyes, not getting enough rest can interfere with your overall eye health.

Studies have shown that the eye needs at least five hours of sleep per night to properly replenish. Without that time, eyes cannot work at their full potential. One common side effect of lack of sleep is eye spasms. Eye spasms are defined as involuntary eye twitches that occur when you have a spasm in your eyelid. These involuntary spasms are known as myokymia. Eye spasms should not be painful or do damage to your vision; however, they can be very aggravating and disruptive. Avoid eye spasms by making sure you get an adequate amount of sleep per night.

Over time, lack of sleep can lead to serious ramifications on your vision including popped blood vessels due to eye strain. Additionally, a shortage of sleep can cause dry eye, a condition when tears do not adequately lubricate your eyes. When dry eye sets in you can experience some pain, light sensitivity, itching, redness or even blurred vision.

Dry eye can be dangerous: 7 ways to treat and prevent it

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Almost five million Americans 50 and older are thought to have dry eye, with the highest incidence among post-menopausal women. Aside from being uncomfortable and annoying, dry-eye syndrome can also permanently harm your vision.

When left untreated, dry eye can cause light sensitivity and blurred vision. Furthermore, under lubricated eyes are more susceptible to scratches or infection.So how do you treat it?

The following home remedies are good first steps:

  1. Use a humidifier
  2. Wear glasses instead of contacts
  3. Take frequent breaks when staring at computer or TV screens
  4. Sleep for at least eight hours each night
  5. Avoid smoke
  6. Wear sunglasses or a hat
  7. Drink at least six glasses of water per day

If you try those but your dry eye persists, consider an over-the-counter eye lubricant drop. These come in the form of gels or ointments and can provide immediate relief.

If you still experience trouble after that, contact your physician. He or she can provide you with prescription-strength eye drops or, if necessary, discuss surgical options with you. This might include an outpatient procedure to provide punctal plugs, which temporarily close the small duct where tears drain from the eye.

Request an appointment to find out more about your options.