What Are The Side Effects of Lack of Sleep?
While some side effects of lack of sleep are mostly mild if it’s something happening regularly it can add up. One of the less dangerous side effects is eye spasms and twitching (myokymia). While it isn’t particularly harmful, it can be annoying and incredibly frustrating especially if you are reading, working, or driving.
A slightly more serious negative side effect of lack of sleep is dry eyes. Dry eye can be painful and irritating because your eyes aren’t being lubricated properly. This may also make your eyes more sensitive to light and lead to blurry vision. Dry, itchy eyes also make you more likely to rub them which can lead to eye infections. Sleep deprivation also weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections in general.
Over time, lack of sleep could eventually lead to more serious eye problems such as glaucoma. Glaucoma is the name of a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. This damage is usually caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is an extremely serious condition because it can lead to loss of vision or blindness. While lack of sleep is not the only leading cause of glaucoma, sleeping each night gives your eyes the chance to rest, replenish, and heal so that they can stay healthy.
Schedule a Consultation
While dry eye and myokymia are both eye conditions that can be caused by sleep deprivation, the good news is that they’re also very treatable. If you haven’t been sleeping well and are noticing some issues with your vision, we’d love to help. Schedule an eye examination with Keamy Eye and Laser Centre today by calling 508-836-8733.