According to the CDC, one in three adults does not receive enough sleep. It is often stressed that sleep plays an important factor in our mental, emotional, and overall health, but the benefits of sleep on the eyes are often overlooked.
Your eye health is something that should not be forgotten, and receiving the proper amount of sleep has endless benefits in this area of your body’s health. The experts at Medical Arts Eye Clinic and Optical can help determine your current eye health and discuss the proper steps to maintain your eye health.
Proper Sleep Amounts
Between work, school, errands, and more, squeezing in the best amount of sleep can be difficult. According to the American Sleep Association, the recommended amount of sleep is as follows:
- Adult: 7 - 9 hours
- Teenager: 8 - 10 hours
- Child 6 - 12 years: 9- 12 hours
- Child 3 - 5 years: 10 - 13 hours (including naps)
- Child 1 - 2 years: 11 - 14 hours (including naps)
- Infants 4 -12 months: 12 - 16 hours (including naps)
Of course, everyone misses a few hours of sleep here and there but aiming for the appropriate amount of sleep is sure to make you feel overall more energetic and rested.
Sleep Deprivation and your Eyes
Sleep deprivation can have a range of side effects on your eyes.
Dark circles and bloodshot eyes are a common result of not receiving enough sleep. Eye twitches and spasms can also result from a bad night or two of sleep. These reactions might not seem too severe but they can be the beginning or warning signs of more serious issues to come.
Dry and itchy eyes are slightly more severe side effects of sleep deprivation. These side effects can often become more intense and require medication or frequent drop usage to soothe. Sleep deprivation has also been linked as a contributing factor to eye deprivation and other serious eye diseases or illnesses.
Tips to Get the Optimal Amount of Sleep
Many people don’t struggle with getting to bed on time but rather find it difficult to fall asleep. Here are a few tips on how to make your room the best area to try and close your eyes:
- Your body works best on a routine. Setting a bedtime routine, such as brushing your teeth, drinking nighttime tea, or reading a book will help signal to your brain that it is time to sleep.
- Eating a few hours prior to laying down for the evening can help put you to sleep faster. Digestion requires a significant amount of energy that can keep your body from resting
- Blue light can cause your eyes to strain which requires your brain to focus. Putting away electronics will also help your eyes and brain relax
- Most people sleep best in a dark environment. Investing in light-blocking curtains or an eye mask to wear can significantly improve your sleep experience.
- Exercising regularly in the morning can help improve sleep. Making sure to work out a few hours prior to going to bed will help ensure you have enough time to mentally and physically wind down.
Eye care professionals are often able to see the effect that a lack of sleep may have on your eyes. It’s important to have your eyes examined annually in order to recognize or track any eye issues that may be forming. Taking care of your over health, eating right, getting the appropriate amount of sleep, and regularly exercising with benefit your body overall.
Here at Medical Arts Eye Clinic and Optical, we want to help ensure your eyes are at their peak health. Our professionals have experience treating an array of eye and vision issues. Contact us today to set up your first appointment.