4 unexpected ways pulling an all-nighter is affecting your eyes

 

Whether you’ve pulled an all-nighter or you got less hours of sleep than normal, one thing is for sure: Your eyes will show it. Bloodshot, itchy, hollow-appearing eyes are typically the signs of not getting enough zzz’s, but experts say lack of sleep can also affect the actual health and wellbeing of your eyes. We spoke with Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, a board-certified ophthalmologist and the founder of twenty/twenty beauty, to learn how lack of sleep can take a toll on both the look and health of your eyes.

 

 

What do our eyes do while we sleep?

 

Your entire body — including your eyes — goes into recovery mode while you sleep. “Overnight, your eyes clear dirt and debris out while amping up lubrication and increasing oxygen flow to the ocular surface to keep eyes clean, comfortable and healthy,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo, who recommends getting a minimum of five hours of sleep each night.

 

"A lot of ocular health issues are related to poor sleep quality, including sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that’s associated with a variety of eye concerns like glaucoma.” Bona fide member of the not-enough-sleep club? Read on to find out all the ways exhaustion could be affecting your eyes.

 

 

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Murad, and are for informational purposes only, even if the advice of physicians and medical practitioners are included. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered specific medical advice. 

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