Getting enough sleep is important to maintain overall good health. The relationship between sleep and glaucoma is important to understand. The night time changes in eye pressure and blood pressure can impact glaucoma progression.
Sleep posture
Sleeping with your head propped up on a pillow may reduce eye pressure. Do not, however, bury your face in a pillow, or your face down (prone position) may increase eye pressure. So it’s best to sleep on your back and make sure your head and neck is supported by a firm pillow.
Snoring, sleep apnea and glaucoma
In case you snore, make sure you tell your eye doctor. It puts you at risk for sleep apnea, which is known to aggravate glaucoma- one more critical relationship between sleep and glaucoma.
Diurnal variation of eye pressure
Also, remember that your eye pressure fluctuates during the day. The highest eye pressure is usually recorded between 2 and 4AM, and usually just before waking up.
Diurnal Variation of blood Pressure
It is important to endure that there is no night time dip in BP if you have glaucoma. This is especially important if you are on medication for hypertension or high blood pressure.
