Link Between Sleep Apnea and Eye Disorders

Like severe back pain or battling a bad stomach flu, your world can stop dead in its tracks when you've got an distressing eye disorder. What if the problem in your eyes, however, were associated with your sleep habits?

That's what one recent study has found with regard to a rare eye disorder called floppy eyelid syndrome

I've discussed OSA at length before. People with this common sleep disorder repeatedly stop and start breathing during the night when throat muscles relax and block the airway. This results in fragmented, poor sleep, as well as low blood oxygen levels. OSA has been associated with an increased risk for myriad health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, mood and memory problems.

What's interesting about this latest study is that it debunked previous notions about FES, which had long been considered a disease of overweight, middle-aged men. The British researchers did not find such a pattern based on age, gender, or body mass index (a measure of weight and barometer for obesity). But they did find a remarkable pattern with regard to obstructive sleep apnea, which affects more than 18 million people in the United States.

The characteristics of FES are not pretty:

• People with FES have rubbery-textured upper eyelids that may easily flip up during sleep, exposing the whites of their eyes, which can lead to dry, irritated eyes and/or discharge.
• Most people would awaken if their eyes became excessively dry and irritated during sleep, but people with OSA may have a dysfunctional nervous system that prevents them from waking to address their eyes.
• What's more, people with OSA tend to sleep on one side, which could result in intense, repeated pressure on the eyelid on that side of the face.
• The combination of all these factors may contribute to or cause FES.

The good news? The study notes that a patient with FES was cured once he was treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. Today, a CPAP machine is our best therapy for treating OSA.

I love it when science makes fascinating links between two seemingly different health challenges. When we can rely on our sleep habits to treat, prevent, manage, or even cure in some cases, conditions that reduce our quality of life and health, well... I think that says a lot about sleep. And what it can mean when we don't get the sleep our bodies deserve - and the incredible, and sometimes amazing benefits that good sleep brings. 

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD
The Sleep Doctor™
www.thesleepdoctor.com

This article on sleep apnea is also available at Dr. Breus's official blog, The Insomnia Blog: by Sleep Doctor Michael Breus, PhD.

 

 

 

Follow Dr. Michael J. Breus on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesleepdoctor

Comments

[TomFox]

08:22 AM on 04/30/2010

I have OSA and I've been on an excellent CPAP and mask for about a year and a half now. I feel better generally. I sleep deeper, dream more, remember more dreams. etc. I can still fall asleep on a dime but the CPAP has made a huge difference in my quality of life. I tried it 10 years ago and gave up because I couldn't find a mask that would cover nose and mouth. It seemed as soon as I relaxed my jaw, my mouth would fall open and all this air would be expelled and wake me up.

Life is so much better now.

[JanaVivica]

04:27 PM on 04/30/2010

You wrote,
"I tried it 10 years ago and gave up because I couldn't find a mask that would cover nose and mouth. It seemed as soon as I relaxed my jaw, my mouth would fall open and all this air would be expelled and wake me up."
But you say that you are using an "excellent CPAP and mask" now, and that you feel better because of it. So what is different from 10 years ago? Were you able to find a newer mask that would cover your nose and mouth? OR is the CPAP mask design still the same as the one you tried 10 years ago, but you just gave it another try and learned how to tolerate it?
And please, what is the name of the specific CPAP/ mask treatment that you say "has made a huge difference" in your "quality of life" ? (And if possible, could you please also mention which doctor tested/ diagnosed you with sleep apnea, and/ or prescribed the CPAP/ mask for you?) I am asking on behalf of my Dad -- thanks.

[llisa]

12:56 AM on 04/30/2010

People with symptoms of depressions should be tested for OSA before treating depression. People with OSA should be checked for gastric reflux. I was surprised to find out they were connected and am doing so much better with my OSA since the gastric reflux is being treated.

[NoSillyName]

12:21 AM on 04/30/2010

Oh gee, what next?

[laaambchop]

05:37 AM on 05/01/2010

Hopefully a picture for the story where the guy doesn't look like he just expired.