Photo by: elescher68
Snoring is often little more than an annoyance (and more often than not the annoyed person is the one hearing the snoring, rather than the one doing it). But in some cases, snoring is indicative of a serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Earlier research has linked OSA to several eye disorders, including glaucoma. Now, the results of a recent study apparently confirm an association between OSA and a less-familiar condition: floppy eyelid syndrome (FES).
First a little background on OSA. People with the condition have a narrow airway that becomes blocked during sleep when the palate relaxes. As a result they experience repeated reduction or pauses in their breathing during sleep.
Because of these disruptions, people with OSA are often tired during the day and have trouble concentrating and with their memory. In addition, OSA has been linked to the development of serious conditions that include high blood pressure, heart failure and insulin resistance. OSA is often associated with obesity. It is usually diagnosed with a sleep study and treatment can include behavioral changes (such as changing sleeping positions or losing weight), with dental appliances, medication or surgery.
In results reported this spring in Ophthalmology, the Journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a team at London’s Moorsfield Eye Hospital said they had confirmed a link between OSA and FES, a condition that makes the eyelids prone to “flipping up” during sleep. Like OSA, FES is more often seen in obese patients than in those of normal weight. And although it may not sound serious, FES can lead to problems that include dry eye and discharges from the eye.
The researchers advise people with OSA to be checked for FES, and vice versa.
And if you are find yourself unusually fatigued during the day, or get complaints about your snoring, you might want to consider asking your physician about having a sleep study to rule out OSA or other forms of sleep apnea.
Sleep well!
