Sleeping with your head elevated can increase eye pressure and worsen nerve damage for glaucoma sufferers.
A new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that sleeping posture, specifically whether or not you use a pillow, may play a role. significant role in eye healthparticularly in individuals with glaucoma.
Researchers have found that elevating your head during sleep can increase intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Glaucoma, one of the main causes of irreversible blindness in the world, is closely linked to elevated IOP. Although it is already known that body position can influence eye pressure and that it is worse when someone lies down, the new findings indicate that using pillows to elevate the head can further worsen this effect.
The study examined 144 adults diagnosed with different types of glaucoma, including normal-tension glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma, the most prevalent variant of the disease. Participants underwent continuous IOP monitoring over a 24-hour period, with measurements carried out every two hoursboth sitting and lying down. The researchers also compared readings when participants were lying down and when their heads were elevated using two standard pillows.
The results showed that 67% of participants experienced a noticeable increase in intraocular pressure (PIO) when their heads were elevated. On average, eye pressure increased by 1.61 mmHg in the elevated position. Additionally, overall IOP levels were higher and more variable throughout the day when pads were used.
The study also evaluated ocular perfusion pressure (PPO), which reflects blood flow to the eye. Results revealed that PPO decreased when participants used pillows, suggesting a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to ocular tissues.
Researchers believe the underlying mechanism may involve compression of the jugular veins caused by flexion of the neck when the head is elevated. This compression could hinder normal blood flow and interrupt the drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid responsible for maintaining eye pressure, explains .
Interestingly, younger participants and those with primary open-angle glaucoma were more likely to have greater increases in IOP. A smaller follow-up analysis involving healthy volunteers supported the hypothesis, showing that the use of pillows narrowed the jugular vein and increased blood flow speed.
Although the study is observational and cannot establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, its findings pave the way for simple behavioral changes as a complementary strategy in glaucoma control.
