Why Does Sleeping Well Help Your Eyes?

We all know that getting enough sleep is essential for our overall well-being, but few people realize that sleep also plays a crucial role in the health of our eyes. When we sleep, our eyes use this rest period to regenerate, lubricate, and repair damaged cells. Let's discover together how good quality sleep can promote eye health and prevent certain visual disorders.

Sleep and Cellular Regeneration of the Eyes

During sleep, the body goes through phases of rest and recovery, and our eyes are no exception. A good night's sleep allows the cells in the retina to regenerate. This process is essential because the retina is composed of particularly active cells that are constantly working to process images and light throughout the day.

Without enough sleep:

• Retinal cells have a harder time repairing themselves.
• Eye fatigue can build up, causing blurred vision, itchy, and even painful eyes.

Eye Hydration During Sleep

Dry eye syndrome is a common problem in people who do not get enough sleep or have poor quality sleep. During sleep, the eyes close and are protected from dry or irritating environments. This allows them to naturally rehydrate thanks to the lacrimal glands, which release tears to lubricate the surface of the eye.

Consequences of a lack of sleep:

• Increased burning or dryness of the eyes during the day.
• Decreased vision quality, especially for those who spend a lot of time in front of screens.

Reducing stress and intraocular pressure

Sleep also helps regulate intraocular pressure, which is crucial for people prone to glaucoma. Indeed, lack of sleep can increase the pressure inside the eye, putting the optic nerve at risk. The stress of sleep deprivation often amplifies this pressure, increasing the risk of developing conditions such as glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Sleep and Deep Eye Rest Phases

During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, one of the deep sleep phases, the eyes move rapidly, which is a sign of rest for the eye muscles. This rapid eye movement, although seemingly paradoxical, helps relax and retrain the eye muscles.

If we lack REM sleep:

• The eye muscles may be stiffer and more tired upon waking.
• The risk of eye strain and eye twitching increases.

Preventing Dark Circles and Bags Under the Eyes

Dark circles and bags under the eyes are a visible outward sign of sleep deprivation. When we sleep poorly, blood circulation around the eyes is reduced, and fluid can accumulate under the eyes, creating puffiness. Additionally, poor sleep reduces tissue oxygenation, making the skin under the eyes darker and more defined.

Visible effects of eye fatigue:

• A tired appearance, with dark circles and puffiness.
• Thinner and more sensitive skin around the eyes.

Tips for sleep that's good for your eyes

Quality sleep is essential for the health of your eyes and for improving their daily comfort. Here are some tips for restful sleep:

1. Adopt a regular sleep routine: Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day to regulate your body clock.

2. Avoid screens before bed: The blue light from screens can disrupt the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Turn off screens at least one hour before bed.

3. Provide a comfortable sleep environment: Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool to promote deep sleep.

4. Hydrate well, but in moderation: Drinking water throughout the day helps your eyes stay hydrated, but avoid drinking too much before bed to avoid interrupting your sleep.

5. Practice relaxation exercises: Techniques like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises can help reduce stress, promoting deeper sleep that is beneficial for the eyes.

Sleep plays a crucial role in the health of our eyes. By giving retinal cells time to rest, ensuring proper ocular hydration, and reducing intraocular pressure, a good night's sleep can prevent many visual disorders and improve the quality of vision. Adopt good sleep habits to give your eyes the care they deserve, because good vision also depends on good rest.