Skip to main content

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

Labels:
Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Popular posts from this blog

Can You Do Weight Lifting If You Have Keratoconus?

Many patients are asking if they can still do weight lifting since they have keratoconus.   During weight lifting, in order to carry tons of weight, a powerlifter may utilise a breathing pattern which involves  Valsalva manoeuvre.  According to wikipedia, t he V alsalva  manoeuvre  is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against closed airway,  usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. Other situations where Valsava manoeuvre is done are during  diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, air travel and sometimes even going to the restroom doing your number 1.   According to Findley, Keating and Toscano (2003), the Valsalva manoeuvre is commonly used in powerlifting  to stabilise the trunk during activities such as squat, deadlift, and bench press.    So what happens to the cornea when Valsalva manoeuvre i...
2 comments
Read more

Can I Drink Alcoholic Beverages While Wearing Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are fitted to patients with complicated prescriptions and irregular corneas. A common question I encountered is "Doc, is it safe to drink alcoholic beverages while I am wearing my scleral lenses?" . Looking into the different papers on the effects of alcoholic beverages on the eye, alcohol, similar to coffee and smoking, can induce some ocular dryness.  Studies noted the presence of ethanol in tears of patients within 6 to 12 hours after drinking alcoholic beverages. The presence of ethanol in tears may cause increased evaporation rate, increased corneal staining, and decreased tear volume, leading to dry eyes.  Unlike in soft contact lenses, the material of scleral lenses does not undergo dehydration. However, scleral lens wearers may still feel some symptoms of dryness.    It is essential, though, to be sure to be still able to remove your lenses when you get home, clean and store them properly. We have one patient who was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Know If Your Keratoconus is Progressing?

Keratoconus typically starts at puberty and progresses until the third or fourth decade of life. At initial diagnosis, younger patients with the steepest corneal curvature (Kmax) of over 55 D have a significantly greater risk of progression. Keratoconus seen at this age is more aggressive, leading to more severe cases. Without any management, the corneal curvature becomes more conical in shape, which can cause worsening of vision, thinning and scarring of the cornea, and possible development of hydrops. However, it tends to stabilize after 20 years from the first diagnosis.  To detect keratoconus progression, some corneal parameters need to be evaluated.  WHAT THE EYE DOCTOR IS LOOKING FOR? -Increase maximum corneal refractive power (Kmax) by more than 1 Diopter within one year.  -An increase in (corneal) myopia by more than 3 Diopter or astigmatism by more than 1.5 Diopter within one year. -An average corneal refractive power increase by more than 1.5 Diopter within one ...
1 comment
Read more