Do you know someone who sleeps with their eyes open? It may seem like a strange phenomenon, but it is actually quite common. Nocturnal lagophthalmos is the medical term for sleeping with your eyes open. It is caused by a problem with the facial muscles, nerves or skin surrounding the eyelids. Paralysis or weakening of the muscle that closes the eyelids, known as the orbicularis oculi, can cause someone to sleep with their eyes open.
In severe cases, a gold weight may be applied to the outside of the eyelid or surgically implanted inside the eyelid. The side effects of nocturnal lagophthalmos, such as eye irritation and dryness, can make you more restless while you sleep. To prevent the eyelid from opening at night, medical grade hypoallergenic adhesive tape can be gently applied to the eyelid to keep it closed. Blepharoplasty is a procedure used to remove excess upper eyelid skin (suprapalpebral hooding) that often occurs with ageing.
If you think you can sleep with your eyes open, ask a family member, friend or partner to check your eyes while you sleep. Also pay attention to the usual symptoms of nocturnal lagophthalmos, such as blurred vision, dry eyes and sensitivity to light. Special dyes can be instilled in eye drops to determine the condition of the eye surface. Lagophthalmos is not a dangerous condition, but consulting a doctor helps to identify the cause and prevent further damage to the eyes.
The idea of taking a quick nap while pretending to be awake sounds exciting, but it is good to be cautious about sleeping with your eyes open. They may sleep with their eyes partially or fully open because their eyelids don't close properly. When this happens night after night, the eyes can become inflamed and the cornea and conjunctiva can form dry spots, ulcers and even scarring if left untreated.
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