A recent study warns of sleep disorders and links them to `glaucoma`

Weather of Arabia - The damage of irregular sleep pattern is not limited to the body, as a recent study links it to the risk of glaucoma, and glaucoma or glaucoma occurs when the fluid in the eye or what is known as ciliary fluid is not drained properly, which increases pressure inside the eye and the optic nerve. It can lead to vision loss if not detected early.

The study, published in the British BMJ journal, examined more than 400,000 people, aged between 40 and 69, and lasted for a decade, and the results indicated that people with unhealthy sleep patterns had an increased risk of developing glaucoma. This can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.

The study indicated that sleep, snoring, daytime sleepiness, and even excessive sleep are factors that can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

The researchers said the study emphasized the critical importance of adopting and maintaining healthy sleep patterns and behaviors. They added that the findings also underscore the need for sleep therapy in people at risk of developing glaucoma as well as eye exams among those with chronic sleep disorders to check for early signs of the condition.

The study set a normal sleep duration of seven hours. Moreover, the research team said that depression and anxiety, which are often linked to insomnia, may also increase intraocular pressure, possibly due to irregular cortisol production.

According to specialists, glaucoma is likely to affect 112 million people worldwide by 2040. Here are some of the risk factors associated with glaucoma:

• If you sleep more than 9 hours or less than 7 hours, it contributes to the occurrence of glaucoma.
• Imbalances in sleep hormones can affect the ciliary fluid inside the eye.
• Lack of oxygen due to sleep apnea increases the incidence of glaucoma.
• Caffeine increases the possibility of high eye pressure, which puts her health at risk.