Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults in the United States. Approximately 20 million adults in […]
Many people have the unpleasant experience of waking up with dry eyes. Why is that, and what can be done about it?
Dry eye is generally caused by either inadequate tear production, or a problem with the tear film that leads to it evaporating too quickly. So why would people get dry eye overnight?
Nocturnal lagophthalmos is the condition where the eyelids don’t fully close while sleeping. It is thought to be caused by a weakness in the seventh cranial nerve (also known as the facial nerve), which can be caused by: injury to the cerebellar artery (which delivers blood to the face), jaw or skull trauma, or Bell’s Palsy (sudden but generally temporary weakness in facial muscles.)
The eyelids not closing while asleep can negatively impact the tear film (the layer of fluid which covers the eyes), and, if the eyes are exposed to air without the proper blinking, a process which reapplies tears to keep the eyes lubricated, they can become dry.
A 2020 study found that this condition, in addition to causing dry eye upon awakening, nocturnal lagophthalmos can worsen dry eye symptoms and reduce the quality of your sleep. This research also found that an overstimulation of the Muller’s muscle (one of the two muscles which keep the eye open while you are awake) can cause this condition.
Other risk factors for nocturnal lagophthalmos include younger age, and shift work.
There are few things you can do to deal with your NL. These include:
Relaxing activities, like the warm bath, can increase your parasympathetic activity, which regulates the “rest and digest” function and decreases sympathetic activity prior to falling asleep. This may also reduce the stimulation of the Muller’s muscle.
Taping the eyelids closed physically keeps your eyes covered, which should help keep them better lubricated.
Other standard treatments for dry eye can be effective at treating symptoms from nighttime dry eye, such as artificial tears.
If you experience dry eye upon waking up, it is likely caused by nocturnal lagophthalmos. In addition to the suggestions listed above, a doctor can provide you with additional guidance on what to do to treat and resolve this issue. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for a consultation at American Family Vision Clinic, you can contact us at (360) 491-2121. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
The staff is friendly. The Doc is very knowledgeable. The office is family friendly and everyone is so patient with the little ones.
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults in the United States. Approximately 20 million adults in […]
As we spend more and more time in front of computer screens and cell phones, it's important to be aware […]
According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), there were approximately 1.8 million LASIK procedures performed in […]
Monday-Thursday
8:30AM-5:00PM
Friday
8:30AM-3:00PM
Saturday-Sunday
Closed