Sleep and Your Eye Health
We all have nights here and there that we toss and turn and just overall don’t sleep well, but are those nights happening to often? Are these sleepless nights affecting your health in general? Yes, they probably are in one way or another they are. Did you know that sleep deprivation can affect your eye health as well?
If you’re not getting the right amount of sleep that your body needs to function properly you may notice that you’re feeling drowsy, you may be having a difficult time concentrating, and just feeling rundown. But if these sleepless nights become something that is occurring on a more regular basis it can cause more concerning health issues such as high blood pressure, memory issues, a weakening immune system, just to name a few. One thing that people don’t realize is that not getting enough sleep can cause health issues with your eyes as well.
Sleep deprivation can cause some mild side effects such as eye spasms and twitching, now these are more of a nuisance than anything. Some other issues caused by a lack of sleep are dry eyes and itchy eyes which can lead to eye infections to where you would need to see your optometrist to make sure you get the infection treated properly. Then one of the more serious issues cause by sleepless nights is glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where too much pressure builds in your eye causing a gradual loss of sight. So, doing what you can every day to ensure a good night’s sleep is vital to your eyes so they have a chance to rest and replenish and can stay healthy.
Now that you know that sleep is important for more than just your appearance but your eyesight as well, here are a few tips to help you get the sleep you need:
- Exercise regularly but try not to exercise within 3 hours of going to bed
- Stick to a routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday… yes even the weekends!
- Keep your bedroom cool
- Avoid eating within 3 hours of going to bed
- Keep your bedroom as dark as possible
- Don’t consume caffeine later in day
- Try to relax and clear your mind before going to bed