World Sleep Day approaches. It is an occasion whereby we ought to appreciate the importance of good quality sleep and proper rest in general. Sleep affects many processes in our bodies but today we will pay extra attention to how important sleep is for our healthy vision. We will also take this opportunity to pinpoint the right time when one should start paying attention and when to seek out medical help.
The direct effect of sleep on our sight
World Sleep Day is just around the corner. Let us underline the fact that our body and mind is unable to function properly without good quality rest. Lack of sleep affects the body`s cognitive and metabolic functions. What exactly is meant by that? Fatigue, diminished ability to focus and concentrate, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, deteriorating mental and physical health to mention just a few. Gradually, lack of sleep may result in serious ailments. Did you know that there exists a direct link between quality sleep and quality eyesight? When we do not allow our eyes sufficient rest to regenerate, when we overload and strain our eyes shortly before going to sleep, we are asking for trouble. Our sight may deteriorate rapidly.
How to attain good quality sleep and thus sight?
Healthy sleep is not something we can take for granted. It is advisable to maintain some good sleep habits. Some of these may be harder to come by but the results are well worth it.
We have compiled several tips that will help not just your sight but your overall wellbeing.
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time.
- Make sure that the room you sleep in is dark. When there are light sources in the room, the eyes will have to work even in your sleep.
- Avoid using electronic devices and especially those emitting blue light at least 2 hours before going to sleep.
- When it is inevitable to use your mobile phone before bedtime, make sure the brightness function is set to minimum and to the `night` option (this is a function now available on almost all mobile phones. So, look it up).
- Do not eat or drink 3 hours before going to bed.
- Do not drink alcoholic drinks or anything containing caffeine before going to bed.
- Do not go the sleep hungry.
- Let in some fresh air before going to sleep.
- Go to bed with clear mind and mediate if necessary.
The rule of thumb is that falling asleep in front of the TV, with the bedside lamp on, while surfing the net or while reading a book on kindle will not do you or your eyes any good.
Sleeping with eyes open? A definite NO GO!
Perhaps you may have noticed someone in your surroundings who sleeps with their eyes open. Increased alertness is in order here as this may indicate that something is not quite right with the eyes or with the overall health in. As a result of eyes not fully shut during sleep, the cornea is exposed and unprotected and so infection or dryness may set in damaging the eyes. The causes may be in the eye itself or to do with the eyelids. When the issue is in the eye itself this may be because of developmental problems when the eye bulges out of the socket. It may also happen because of a tumour or when there are problems with the Thyroid gland. In other case this may be the result of an injury or past infection.
Should you know of anyone with this problem, please inform him or her of all the above and stress the importance of seeking medical help immediately. Only a specialist will be able to diagnose the real cause and to propose the right course of treatment.
Please remember that the whole body, including the eyes, regenerates during sleep. Why not make this year`s World Sleep Day the one whereby you implement some of these good sleep habits? Your body and eyes will surely appreciate your efforts in the form of doing their job for years to come.