Nocturnal lagophthalmos is a condition which causes people to sleep with their eyes open. Although millions of people throughout the world suffer from this problem, many are unaware of it. It is treated with eye drops and blinking exercises as well as surgery.
Blinking
Blinking is necessary to keep our eyes moistened with fluid. The purpose of this fluid is to keep debris from the surface of the eye so that it stays healthy. People who are unable to sleep with their eyes closed often suffer from dry and painful eyes, which requires them to use special eye drops to keep them moistened. Furthermore, sleeping with the eyes closed is important to enable the eyes to rest and undergo healing after daily exposure to dust, irritants and ultraviolet light.
Causes
It is thought that nocturnal lagophthalamos is a genetic condition, but it may also be caused by thyroid dysfunction, scarring of the eyelid, hypnotic drugs, alcohol intoxication, or damage to the facial nerves. It may also be the result of other conditions such as trauma, Bell's palsy, stroke or bacterial infection.
Treatment
Nocturnal lagophthalamos may be a permanent or temporary condition. In order to asses the condition, you will need to see your eye care practitioner, who will usually recommend a series of eye drops or ointment to help you maintain your eyes' lubrication. She may also recommend blinking efficiency exercises. If the condition persists, your doctor may recommend the implantation of small gold weights into the eyelid to allow you to close your eyes when your muscles relax.
Blinking Efficiency Exercises
Blinking efficiency exercises can help to reduce nocturnal lagophthalamos and the painful dryness that accompanies it by enabling a sufferer to develop complete and efficient blinking habits. For the exercise, the patient is required to make 24 complete blinks in less than 30 seconds. This exercise should be practiced daily, every 30 minutes, for at least one week. Each blink should be full and complete without any movement of the cheeks or eyebrows. Each blink should take only a third of a second.
