One of the first signs that sleep is invading us is heaviness on the eyelids what makes us close our eyes, whether we are watching a TV series, reading a book or chatting with someone. Sleep with your eyes closed We take it for granted, but why do we do it?
It is clear that this must be something necessary. Otherwise it would not be such an imperative feature of the dream. But why is it so important to sleep with your eyes closed?
There are several answers to this question, as there are several reasons why our eyelids droop when we fall into the arms of Morpheus. However, it is true that there are people who they don’t close their eyes completely to fall asleep. This occurs due to a condition known as lagophthalmos, which is estimated to affect approximately 5% of the population. These people suffer the consequences of not sleeping with their eyes closed. They are not very serious if precautions are taken, but they are quite annoying.
Sleeping with our eyes closed protects us
When we sleep, we are not aware of possible dangers approaching our eyes. Therefore, since we are not going to do anything to protect them, it is best to close them.
Additionally, sleeping with your eyes closed facilitates the functioning of the white outer layer of the eye, called scleraAnd cornea They remain moisturized as tears are more easily retained.
Finally, sleeping with your eyes closed limits bright passage. It is true that no matter how much we close our eyes, some light reaches our retina. From there he reaches suprachiasmatic nucleus, the area of the brain responsible for controlling circadian rhythms. When a lot of light is detected, especially if it is blue, synthesis melatonin, so that it promotes wakefulness. On the other hand, when there is little light, more melatonin is released, triggering sleep-related mechanisms such as the weight of the eyelids.
If there is too much light before bed for any reason, melatonin synthesis can be suppressed, preventing us from resting. Thus, closed eyelids restrict the passage of this light to the retina and thereby control the synthesis of the sleep hormone.
What happens to people with lagophthalmos?
In fact, lagophthalmos is not characterized by sleeping with your eyes wide open. These people narrow their eyelids but cannot close them completely.
The reasons are very varied. In some cases, this is due to the shape of the eye itself, when eyeball It is larger than the eye socket and the eyelids that cover it. This may also be due to some very large eyelasheswhich prevent complete closure of the eyes.
He drinking alcohol or sleeping pills This is another reason, to which are added injuries on the face or head, illness thyroidsome tumorsAnd cosmetic surgical procedures, for example, blepharoplasty, which some people resort to to get rid of dark circles under the eyes. Finally, this may be due to infections, diabetes or paralysis and neuromuscular diseases.
Diagnosis is difficult because patients are usually unaware that they cannot close their eyes to sleep. They only realize when someone tells him.
If this happens, it is important consult a professional, who will try to find out the cause and, if there is no solution, will prescribe treatments such as the use of artificial tears, ointments or glasses that help keep tears in the open eyes at night. This prevents possible ulcers or infections due to dry eyes.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary, but this will be a more extreme measure if none of the above helps.
Source: Hiper Textual
