Did you know that some eye conditions are associated with sleep apnea? According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder where people stop breathing multiple times per night while sleeping.

If you have sleep apnea, you're more likely to have ocular irritation, your tears take longer to be replenished, you have a higher chance of developing floppy eyelids, and you're at increased risk for glaucoma.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which your airway becomes partially blocked due to relaxed muscles in your nose and throat. It is twice as common in men and is more likely to affect people with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.

Which Eye Conditions Are Associated With Sleep Apnea?

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when increased pressure within the eye damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and sometimes blindness. In some cases it may be due to a drop in blood oxygen levels that happens when you stop breathing. People with sleep apnea need to get their eyes checked regularly for glaucoma.

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome (FES) is an eye condition where a person has an unusually large and floppy upper eyelid. It can cause eye redness, irritation, discharge, or blurry vision. Over 90% of people with FES also have sleep apnea.

Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

NAION occurs when there is a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve, causing significant vision loss in one eye without major pain. Approximately 70-80% of patients with NAION have been found to have OSA.

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Also referred to as an eye stroke, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a blockage of the small veins that carry blood away from the retina. Research has found sleep apnea to be suspected in a high percentage of patients with RVO.

Talk to Your Eye Doctor

Get eye exams regularly to rule out eye disorders and prevent potential vision loss, especially if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. At Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio, we encourage you to share your full medical history so we can better diagnose and treat any eye conditions you may have. Call us at (937) 228-2020.