Sleep Deprivation and Vision Health

Vision health is important because your eyes are the windows through which you see the world. Unfortunately, vision may deteriorate with age, especially if you don’t take care of your vision health.

Sleep deprivation is damaging to health, not just that of your body and mind, but also of your eyes. Good sleep means you get at least 7-8 hours of natural sleep. If you don’t have adequate sleep, you may damage your optic nerve due to a restricted blood flow into your eyes. This condition is known as ischemic optic neuropathy, which may affect the clarity of your vision. Remember, your eyes need oxygen and nutrients just as the rest of your body organs do.

Sleep deprivation may cause eye spasms, which make your eyes twitch uncontrollably. This irritating eye condition, though not serious, can be avoided if you sleep well. Another uncomfortable eye condition due to sleep deprivation is the development of dry eyes. If you experience red, swollen, and bloodshot eyes that are sensitive to light, resulting in blurry vision, you may have dry eyes caused by inadequate production of tears by your tear ducts. Sitting in front of the computer over a long period of time, driving at night without much rest, or simply not getting enough sleep may cause eye strain. Chronic eye strain may damage your vision, causing pain and blurry vision. Therefore it is important to take a break every now and then to give your eyes a meaningful break. The best and the most effective way is to do eye-palming, which is a simple exercise that you can perform any time during the day. You simply place both palms over the eyes but without touching them, and then gently close your eyes; your eyes seem to be seeing “blackness.” Another way to relax your eyes is to do meditation.

If you have sleep apnea that interrupts your breathing while sleeping, you have increasing risk of developing glaucoma, which is a serious eye condition that may result in loss of vision or even blindness due to damaged optic nerve.

All in all, your vision health has much to do with your lifestyle: what you eat, what you do, and how you sleep. Remember, if you have a compulsive mind that forever puts you in the past or in the future, except in the present, you are living a stressful life that prevents you from getting a good sleep at night. Stress is the underlying contributor to disease, including loss of  vision. Take care of your mind to take care of your body,  including your eyes.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau