Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness and the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is linked to two forms of this disease — primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The severity of glaucoma appears to correlate with the number and duration of apnea episodes in patients with OSA.

Glaucoma, which can be several optic nerve damaging eye conditions, is typically caused by high pressure within the eye, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms are usually slow-progressing, with vision loss being one of the only signs. Certain risk factors like a patient’s age are well known; while ones like ethnicity are less known by the public.

A number of clinical studies over the last several years have shown an association between sleep apnea and several glaucoma indicators such as intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, cup-to-disk ratios, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

There have been a number of studies showing the reduction in IOP among glaucoma patients following use of a CPAP machine. Still, the complexities of glaucoma as well as the wide variations in OSA severities make a direct correlation more elusive. Some studies have suggested that CPAP therapy can even raise IOP to some degree, but many researchers generally agree that the risk is possible in a smaller subset of OSA patients.

Even then, most researchers and medical experts see the increased oxygen levels attained through use of CPAP and the overall health benefits far outweighing the hypothetical risks. The takeaway for OSA patients, especially those with severe forms of the condition, is to work with their physician and sleep therapist to monitor all physiological conditions and ask questions.

How is floppy eyelid syndrome related to sleep apnea?

This disorder causes eyelids to evert (turn inside-out) spontaneously during sleep, resulting in excessive watering, stickiness, discomfort and blurred vision. While not a serious medical problem, this syndrome can signal that a person also has OSA, which can lead to more significant health problems.

A 2010 study looked at 102 patients with FES and a control group of another 102 patients. 90% of study participants with FES also had obstructive sleep apnea.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why. In addition to shared risk factors (obesity, age), it could be that those with OSA have greater tissue elasticity which also affects incidence of FES.

According to Dr. Brad Sutton, OD, FAAO, of the Indiana University School of Optometry, “The incidence of sleep apnea in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is essentially 100%.” Dr. Sutton urges his patients with FES to get tested for sleep apnea. FES is often treated as eye irritation with drops before the patients are properly diagnosed. However, finding out if the patient has sleep apnea and then treating the sleep apnea is the best approach as this will likely improve the FES.

Dr. Sutton’s treatment approach is three parts:

1. *Using a thick lubricating ointment at night.
2. *Sleeping with a cylindrical pillow to minimize contact with the eye and the pillow at night.
3. *Wearing a firm sleep mask or taping the eyelids down to prevent eversion (flipping).

If those treatments don’t work, surgery to tighten the eyelid tissue may be required.

Non-arteritic anterior is chemicoptic neuropathy (NAION)

Research shows an increased incidence of OSA in people diagnosed with NAION. This condition is characterized by the sudden painless onset of vision loss in one eye, often noticed upon awakening. Up to 6,000 patients annually in the United States are diagnosed with this condition, which can cause irreversible vision loss.

Papilledema

People with OSA may have a higher incidence of papilledema, swelling of the optic nerve in both eyes. Papilledema typically occurs due to increased pressure within the skull and can lead to progressively worsening vision and, in some cases, blindness.

Healthy Eyes and Healthy Sleep