Sleep Apnea and Eyes

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that interrupts breathing during sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for up to 2 minutes. This condition affects more than 12 million Americans. Its symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking while asleep, morning headache and daytime sleepiness.

A study by Glaucoma Research Foundation showed that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) are approximately 10 times more likely to develop glaucoma. Sleep apnea adversely affects the delicate and fragile vessels in the eye, particularly the retina, by sudden fluctuations of blood pressure and oxygen levels. It has been determined that obstructive sleep apnea is not only a marker for poor health, but also a risk factor for open-angle glaucoma.

The association between these two conditions is high when considering the large number of people suffering from both.

At Cascade Vision Center, our team of eye care professionals provide testing to diagnose and manage glaucoma.

Please call 425-235-9911 to schedule your appointment or book online.