Corneacare Logo
  • CorneaCare Logo
  • Shop
    • Shop All
    • Eyelid Hygiene
    • Eye Vitamins
    • Eye Drops
    • Eyecare Bundles
  • Education
    • Dry Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye 101
      • Causes & Diagnosis
      • Lifestyle
      • Treatment
      • Why It Matters
    • Eye Health & Wellness
    • Eye Glossary
    • Take the Quiz
  • Community
  • App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Contact us
  • Login
  • My Account
Login
Cart Icon 0
Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Lifestyle

Prevent Dry Eyes When Sleeping

  • Last updated March 7, 2023

6 min read

Heather Cottrell
Written byHeather Cottrell
Jovi Boparai, MD
Reviewed by Jovi Boparai, MD
Heather Cottrell
Heather Cottrell

Bio

Since becoming a Certified Health Coach in 2005, researching and creating content to help people live longer, healthier lives is my passion. As a content creator and online marketing coach for health coaches, I spend most of my time working on screens. Keeping my eyes healthy is important not just to my work, but to my life!

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: creating content
Food: is coffee a food? ;)
Superhero: Wonder Woman
Guilty pleasure: bingewatching my favorite shows
Secret power: learning online tech quickly

Training:

Undergraduate: Fordham University
Health and wellness training: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Jovi Boparai, MD
Jovi Boparai, MDCo-founder & CEO of CorneaCarePhiladelphia, PA

Bio

Dry eye disease is tough! I get it. I have struggled with dry eyes for several years from contact lens use, and from spending countless hours looking at computer screens. In college, my dry eyes got so bad that I couldn’t wear contact lenses, because of a constant “foreign body sensation” when I had them in. I had to stop reading every 30 minutes because my eyes would start to burn and my vision would get blurry. I tried a plethora of treatments and nothing seemed to work. Dry eye disease was not only impacting my eyes, but also my emotional wellbeing. It was preventing me from enjoying life, and getting in the way of my professional training. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated and hopeless.

It was only when I realized that my dry eyes were linked to my lifestyle, environment and overall health did things start to make sense. I noticed that on days when I spent less time on the computer, my eyes felt better. My symptoms would flare when it was windy, or when there was low humidity. I knew that if I wanted to get ahead of my dry eyes, I needed to not only treat my eyes, but to also address my lifestyle. I started a consistent regimen of artificial tears and eyelid hygiene. I switched from monthly contact lenses to daily contact lenses. I started taking scheduled breaks from looking at a computer. I ate a healthier diet focused on anti-inflammatory/antioxidants foods, and I bought a humidifier for my room. In the beginning doing all this seemed impossible, but over time it became part of my usual routine. Not only did my eyes feel better, but I was overall healthier and happier! Turns out what is good for my eyes, was also good for my mind and body. I carried this lesson with me as I started my career to become an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon.

Because of my personal journey and professional training, I believe dry eye treatment starts by listening to and empowering the patient. I listen for the struggles and cue in on their strengths, while picking up on their lifestyle. Only then do we together start building a treatment plan that incorporates good eye hygiene with small, but impactful lifestyle changes. Our sight is our most important sense, and it is intimately linked to our very being. I want dry eye patients to not only get their dry eyes under control, but to also enjoy good mental and physical health, and live a fulfilling life. What is good for the eyes should also strengthen the mind and fortify the body!

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: vintage watches
Food: peanut butter
Superhero: Superman
Guilty pleasure: desserts
Secret power: has never had a headache

Training:

Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh Honors College
Medical school: Weill Cornell Medicine
Ophthalmology residency: Wills Eye Hospital.

Prevent Dry Eyes When Sleeping

Share

Table of Contents

How to Prevent Dry Eyes When You’re Sleeping

If dry eye symptoms are interrupting your sleep, or you wake up each day with irritated dry eyes, your sleep quality may be suffering. Poor quality sleep can lead to a number of medical conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Long-term sleep disruption is also related to increased stress, mood disorders, and reduced performance at work.¹ This article will help you learn how to prevent dry eyes when sleeping.

While dry eye is a chronic condition, it’s very treatable, and in some cases preventable with a few lifestyle changes and good eye care routines.

Key Points

  • Poor sleep leads to a multitude of problems and dry eye can be the cause.
  • Preventing dry eye when sleeping requires a few environmental and lifestyle changes.
  • Dry eye disease is a chronic but treatable condition and CorneaCare is here to help.
You brush your teeth,
moisturize your skin,
what about your eyes?
Take the quiz
Eyecare Quiz on Cellphone

Understanding Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease is a common condition that affects 344 million people worldwide.2 Also called dry eye syndrome, the symptoms of dry eye can be debilitating and cause problems for you professionally as well as in your personal life. 

Dry eye disease is caused by inadequate tear production or rapid tear evaporation. In most cases, people with dry eyes don’t have enough tears staying in their eyes to keep them lubricated properly.2

The symptoms of dry eye disease include a gritty feeling, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, discharge, dryness, and even excessive tearing. Dry eye treatment is focused on both increasing tears and preventing tear film evaporation.2

Causes of Dry Eye When Sleeping

Studies have shown that almost half of all dry eye sufferers report poor sleep quality, similar to patients with sleep apnea. This is just one way that dry eye has a significant impact on quality of life.3

There are many causes of dry eye disease, ranging from environmental factors to medical conditions.4 In this article, we’ll focus on how to prevent dry eyes when sleeping while looking at related causes.

To dig deeper into the other causes of dry eye disease, read What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

Environmental Factors

Living in a dry, cold, or windy climate can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Sitting or sleeping under fans or with air conditioner vents blowing on your face can cause dryness on the surface of your eyes. Such conditions can irritate your eyes and disrupt your sleep.

If you smoke or spend time around smokers, the resulting poor air quality can dry your eyes. Similarly, if you live or work in an area that exposes you to high air pollution, you are at greater risk for dry eye disease.

Nocturnal lagophthalmos

Nocturnal lagophthalmos is a condition where your eyelids remain partially open when sleeping. The exposure can cause your tear film to become unstable and your eyes to feel dry when sleeping and when you wake.5

In addition to causing dry eye symptoms, nocturnal lagophthalmos can disrupt your sleep, so it’s worth talking with your doctor if you suspect this may be a problem for you.

Medical Conditions and Medications

You may have certain medical conditions or take medications that can lead to dry eye symptoms. Of course, we do not recommend you stop taking your medications. You may wish to speak with your prescribing doctor about the side effects, however.

Some of the medical conditions that can cause dry eye symptoms include Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Eye conditions that increase the risk of dry eye disease include blepharitis, glaucoma, and meibomian gland dysfunction, as well as LASIK surgery. Contact lens use for vision correction can also cause dry eye.4

Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can cause symptoms of dry eye. Also, over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and diuretics can lead to dry eyes, especially with long-term use. Further, certain prescription medications such as antidepressants and glaucoma medications can also dry out your eyes.4

eyelid hygiene foundation

Foundation

Eyelid Hygiene Plan 2

Perfect for eye dryness, burning, itching, crusting/flaking of eyelashes and inflamed eyelids. Free shipping 📦.

Try today - $45

How to Prevent Dry Eyes When Sleeping

Nighttime dry eye can disrupt your sleep leaving you sluggish and irritable throughout the day. Poor sleep quality over time can wreak havoc on your overall health too. If dry eyes keep you up at night or you have morning dry eye symptoms, the following simple changes can make a big difference.

Turn on a Humidifier at Night

Running a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom can help prevent dry eyes when sleeping. You can also add humidifiers in other areas of your home where you spend time during the day to increase the overall humidity in the air.

Adding moisture to the air can really make a difference, especially in the cold, winter months or if you live in a place that’s dry year-round.

Redirect the Fan

Sleeping in a cool room can help you sleep, however, you should avoid sleeping with fans or air conditioner vents pointed toward your face. Air flowing toward your eyes for hours will dry up your tears leaving your eyes dry and irritated in the morning. It may even disturb you while you’re trying to sleep.

Make changes to keep your bedroom cool without having air blowing at your face. Do the same with air vents in your car while driving. Reducing the factors that contribute to dry eye symptoms during the day will help ensure your eyes are hydrated when you head to bed at night.

Use Eye Drops to Replenish Tears

Artificial tears can help replenish tears and make your eyes feel more comfortable. Usually, eye drops alone won’t be enough to treat your dry eye symptoms, but they can be helpful if used consistently throughout the day and before bed.

It’s important to avoid the preservatives in many brands of artificial tears, however, as they can damage the cornea when used long-term.6 CorneaCare’s preservative-free artificial tears provide gentle lubrication to your eyes to ease dry eye symptoms without harmful ingredients.

Take Regular Breaks from Digital Screens

Whether on the job or for fun, staring at digital screens for hours each day can really take a toll on the eyes. While working at a computer, playing online games, or streaming your favorite show, you blink less causing eye strain and dryness.

When using digital screens, remember the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a screen time break and your tear film a chance to rehydrate. Make an effort to blink frequently as well.

Before bedtime, turn off digital screens early allowing your eyes to recover from eye strain and prevent dry eyes when sleeping.

Avoid Allergens

Avoiding allergens in the bedroom can help prevent dry eyes when sleeping. These include dust mites, cigarette smoke, and synthetic fragrances. Even the laundry detergent and fabric softener you use on your bedding can be irritating to your eyes. Try switching to fragrance-free cleaning and laundry products.

Eat Well and Drink Plenty of Water During the Day

In addition to medical and environmental factors, your diet can significantly impact your dry eye symptoms. Eating a balanced diet with protein, carbs, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals is beneficial for the eyes, mind, and body.4

CorneaCare’s omega-3 fatty acid supplements and eye vitamins and minerals can help address any deficiencies in your diet to make sure you get the essential nutrients your body needs.

It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Even mild dehydration can lead to dry eye symptoms.

Eye Vitamins and Minerals

Multivitamin

Eye Vitamins & Minerals

A single multivitamin to address the nutritional needs of your eyes, mind and body. 📦 Free shipping.

Try today - $35

Remove Your Contact Lenses Before Sleeping

Even if your contact lenses are designed for overnight use, if you suffer from dry eye disease it may be best to remove them before sleeping. If you have sensitive eyes, you might get relief by removing your contacts early in the evening and wearing glasses instead.7

You might like to experiment and see if removing your lenses helps you prevent dry eyes when sleeping. Talk with your eye doctor about whether contact lenses are a good fit for you if you have dry eye symptoms. Also, read Can I Wear Contact Lenses with Dry Eyes? to learn more.

Find Relief with a Warm Compress

For some people, dry eye disease is caused by clogged meibomian glands. The meibomian glands secrete helpful oils to prevent rapid tear film evaporation. However, if they are not functioning properly the glands become clogged.

CorneaCare’s self-heating warm compress can hydrate and provide gentle warmth to your eyes, helping to stimulate clogged glands. Our Rest™️ warm compresses are fragrance and preservative-free.

Each individually wrapped eye mask conveniently self-warms without the use of a microwave. Simply slip the loops behind your ears, close your eyes, and relax for 10-15 minutes while you enjoy your favorite calming music or podcast. Remove and discard when you’re ready to drift off to sleep.

rest warm compresses

Rest

Warm Compresses

Perfect for eye dryness, fatigue, tearing, and puffiness of the eyelids. Free shipping 📦.

Try today - $30

Treatment for Dry Eye Disease

Start with a visit to your eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) for an eye exam. Talk with your eye care provider about your dry eye symptoms and how they’re impacting your sleep.

Your eye doctor will go over treatment options for your dry eye disease depending on your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. If you have a medical condition contributing to your dry eye symptoms, its management will also be important to your dry eye treatment plan.

Starting an eyelid hygiene routine is a good first step in the long-term treatment of your dry eye symptoms during the day and night.

In many cases, using artificial tears may also be required along with your eyelid hygiene routine. Further, treatment options for chronic dry eye include antibiotic eye drops, corticosteroids, or tear duct punctal plugs.4

Putting It All Together

A good night’s sleep makes every day better and preventing dry eyes when sleeping is an important step in that direction.

While it’s important to understand how to prevent dry eyes when sleeping, most forms of dry eye disease have multiple contributing factors. Treating your dry eyes with artificial tears is not enough. What you need is to create your own personalized therapeutic plan, make a few essential environmental and lifestyle changes, and be consistent.

Want to take care of your eyes but not sure where to start?
Take the quiz
Eyecare Quiz Illustration of Quiz

What’s Next

At CorneaCare, we specialize in dry eye and invite you to check out our free Dry Eye 101 course to learn more about the condition and the many treatment options for your dry eye symptoms.

Bibliography

  1. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. NIH National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/. Accessed 25 February 2023.
  2. Dry Eye Redefined: TFOS DEWS II Report, Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society, http://www.tfosdewsreport.org/. Accessed 28 February 2023.
  3. The relationship between dry eye and sleep quality, NIH National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33421635/. Accessed 9 February 2023.
  4. What Is Dry Eye? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment, Everyday Health, https://www.everydayhealth.com/dry-eyes/guide/. Accessed 26 February 2023.
  5. Sleeping with Eyes Open, American Academy of Ophthalmology, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sleeping-with-eyes-open. Accessed 27 February 2023.
  6. Artificial Tears: What Matters and Why, Review of Optometry, https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/artificial-tears-what-matters-and-why. Accessed 27 February 2023.
  7. Treatment, Material, Care, and Patient-Factors in Contact Lens-Related Dry Eye, NIH National Library of Medicine, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2628947. Accessed 28 February 2023.

Share

Continuing Education

Loading...
  • Lifestyle

Can I Wear Contacts with Dry Eyes?

6 min read

Learn the causes and symptoms of dry eye disease, and how to make the right choice if you wear contacts with dry eyes.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Lifestyle

Managing Your Dry Eyes in Winter

5 min read

Dry eyes in winter is a common condition. Learn how to manage your dry eyes with tips for prevention and the best products for eye health.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Lifestyle

Studies Report Impact of Dry Eye Disease on Quality of Life

8 min read

Studies report significant impact of dry eye disease on quality of life. Learn what steps you can take to reduce your symptoms.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

Logo_Corneacare_White

    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    Menu
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    Instagram Facebook_Pink Youtube Twitter Tiktok
    Copyright – © 2023 CorneaCare, Inc. ⚡️ All rights reserved
    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

    Wholesale inquiry

    Please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

    20% OFF personalized, convenient and effective eyecare
    20% OFF personalized eyecare
    Take the quiz
    Take the quiz