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Your Position of Sleep Can Cause Keratoconus

KERATOCONUS, EYE RUBBING AND SLEEP POSITION

EYE RUBBING

Your position of sleep can cause keratoconus! Keratoconus is most often than not associated with eye rubbing. Do you know that keratoconus patients rub their eyes longer (10 to 180 seconds) than other patients without keratoconus (<5 seconds)?  Eye rubbing temporarily reduces the epithelial thickness by about 18%, and it will take about 15 to 45 minutes for the corneal thickness to get back to the baseline. 

 

However, there are patients who deny that they rub their eyes, it has been said that there is a genetic factor that makes a patient more susceptible to keratoconus. The condition is also associated with some connective tissue disorders, allergies, and other environmental factors. Today, we talk about sleeping positions. 

 

SLEEP POSITION AND KERATOCONUS


Some studies say that incorrect sleeping positions may also contribute to the risk of developing keratoconus. A study found some associations in the sleeping position of patients with unilateral keratoconus.  These patients often sleep on their stomachs or on their sides, with the keratoconus eye directly hitting the pillow (“pillow hugging”). For bilateral keratoconus with one highly steeper cornea than the other,   the worse eye was found to be directly correlated with the preferred sleeping side. It was noted that this can be due to compression of the eyeball and increased heat at the compressed area.  


Are you one of those that sleep with your arm or fist over your eye?  Putting the arm or your closed fist on the eye may also put pressure on the eyeball compressing the eye. Besides the pressure on the eye, contact of the eyelid on the linen may cause allergen to trigger morning eye itchiness, which can also cause excessive morning eye rubbing. 

 

But of course, not all those who sleep in the wrong position can develop keratoconus. Only those who may be genetically susceptible. 

 

In summary, it is best to avoid the following:

1.     To avoid eyeball compression:  Do not sleep on your stomach or sides to the extent of compressing your eyeball

2.     To prevent increased allergen and morning eye rubbing:  Avoid putting pillows over your eyes or burying your eye in linens. 

For dry eye patients, make sure to lubricate your eyes as well to reduce chances of vigorous eye rubbing in the morning. 


To schedule a consult, book an appointment at https://www.facebook.com/GoldHeartOptical



About the Author:
Dr. Millette Romualdez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Scleral Lens Society, Philippine College of Optometry and International Association of Contact Lens Educators. She has also received a Certification of Advanced Contact Lenses from the Australian College of Optometry.

To book an appointment for a doctor that fits keratoconus contact lenses such as scleral contact lenses, GP lenses and Kerasoft IC , contact us via 09215452389 or goldheartoptical@gmail.com

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Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

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