Introduction:
Poor sleep quality and sleep-related conditions cause several health issues. They are hypertension, dementia, diabetes, and even the possibility of stroke. One such sleep condition affecting physical health is known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a profound condition characterized by trouble breathing or pauses in breathing while sleeping. This results in distorted sleep patterns and reduced oxygen levels in the body. So, Does sleep apnea affect eye health? Yes, sleep apnea can significantly impact eye health, while interrupted breathing episodes cause several effects on eye health.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the person’s breathing stops and starts recurrently during sleep, leading to a lower oxygen concentration. So, the breathing is paused several times during sleep. Hence, sleep apnea is considered a potentially serious disorder because this condition can cause a wide range of complications that are most severe and life-threatening. This includes hypertension, diabetes, heart damage, and heart failure. It also increases the potential for stroke. Men in the population are more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
The primary symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring and tiredness after full sleep. There is no single causative agent for sleep apnea. The type of sleep apnea called central sleep apnea results when the brain does not send the chemical signals required for breathing. In another way, the conditions that could narrow the airway can increase the risk of another type of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea. The risk factors include obesity, age, large tonsils, and changes in hormone levels.
What Is the Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Eye Health?
Sleep apnea is a severe condition involving sporadic and interrupted breathing during sleep. This can be attributed to an obstruction in the airways, causing heavy and loud snoring. Sleep apnea typically causes a shortage of oxygen circulation in the body. This shortage could result in decreased oxygen, increased carbon dioxide, and decreased blood flow to the optic nerve (the significant nerve supply for the eyes). Hence, these disturbances can cause the eye to damage itself and degenerate over time. Sleep apnea can affect eye health, causing various conditions.
What Are the Eye Conditions That Can Be Associated With Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea affects eye health in addition to physical and mental health. The following are the potential eye conditions associated with sleep apnea.
Dry Eyes:
Dry eye syndrome is more common in individuals with sleep apnea. Though it is not a serious eye condition, it can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. This condition occurs with continuous passive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea, where the person with sleep apnea wears a mask throughout the night. So, the air could leak from the mask and enter the eyes for about eight hours, resulting in dry eye syndrome. The symptoms include itching, burning, and irritation of the eyes.
The following measures can treat dry eye conditions associated with sleep apnea:
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Modifying the appropriate fit of the mask.
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Switching sleep positions.
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Nasal mask.
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Artificial tear drops.
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Ointment.
Glaucoma:
Studies have demonstrated that sleep apnea is strongly related to an increased risk of potential optic nerve damage, a condition called glaucoma. Glaucoma causes optic nerve damage due to the increased pressure in the eyes. Glaucoma is more common among people with sleep apnea than others. Moreover, clinical reports say that the more severe the sleep apnea is, the more influential the glaucoma is.
The decreased oxygen levels combined with the increased carbon dioxide during sleep apnea episodes could result in persistent optic nerve damage. The clinical research also adds that CPAP treatment might precipitate glaucoma damage, so the doctors recommend appropriate treatment options. Also, they provide regular monitoring of glaucoma in people using CPAP.
Floppy Eyelid Syndrome:
Some people with sleep apnea might develop an eye condition called floppy eyelid syndrome. Moreover, healthcare professionals see this eye condition as a warning sign or symptom of sleep apnea. This condition is characterized by extremely elastic upper eyelids, resulting in easy inversion and eversion during sleep. This condition also causes redness and irritation of the eyes. The mechanism behind the association of sleep apnea with floppy eyelid syndrome has not been determined.
Papilledema:
Clinical reports show that severe cases of sleep apnea, especially in people with deficient oxygen concentrations, can cause papilledema. This condition is attributed to the swelling of the optic nerve head and could lead to vision problems. The optic nerve disc, or head, is the conduit through which the optic nerve accesses the eye.
Moreover, papilledema can lead to permanent vision loss when left unaddressed and untreated. Papilledema is attributable to idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), known for a raised spinal fluid pressure surrounding the brain. The Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes the link between speech apnea and IIH. The ophthalmologist advises an extensive evaluation and sleep study to treat the condition according to its severity.
Central Serous Retinopathy:
Central serous retinopathy is an eye condition that results from the buildup or accumulation of fluid beneath the retina, resulting in retinal detachment. Central serous retinopathy could cause blind spots, distorted vision, discrepancies in color determination, and blurred vision. A number of studies say that central serous retinopathy occurs more commonly with sleep apnea than in other cases.
Retinal Vein Occlusion:
Retinal vein occlusion is a potentially serious condition that could lead to blindness. This condition is characterized by a blockage in the small blood vessels (veins) carrying deoxygenated blood away from the retina. Retinal vein occlusion is more common in individuals with sleep apnea, and the study estimated that about 35 to 75 percent of retinal vein occlusion cases might also have sleep apnea.
Conclusion:
Healthcare professionals refer individuals with sleep apnea and other eye concerns to vision and eye health examinations. In contrast, people with certain eye problems are referred for sleep studies. The doctors prescribe treatment according to the primary concern and the underlying condition. However, people with sleep apnea need to know about these potential eye health effects and get the right medical treatment. Health experts say that regular eye examinations in conjugation with effective sleep apnea treatment could help prevent or restore the impact on eye health, preserving one’s sight and vision.
