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How Should Twitchy Eye Lids Due To Stress And Sleeping With One's Eyes Open Be Medically Monitored And Treated?
Question: My husband woke me up in the middle of the night because he was freaked out that my eyes were open while I was asleep. He told me that I've done this a couple of times. I've never had a stroke, I don't have any facial paralysis, I don't have any other symptoms indicating a tumor, I don't have a skin condition, and I just had my thyroid checked, and it's fine. At worst, sometimes I have twitchy eye lids, but that's usually just caused by a lack of sleep or stress. I can't think of a single cause save that sleep is weird for me in general (I also have been known to talk, walk, and do things in my sleep). I have a sleep mask that can hold my eyes down, and I also have OTC eye drops; at this stage, should I be worried?
Brief Answer:
Not to be worried, however get a medical evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Sleeping with eyes open may indicate weakness of the muscles that are responsible for keeping the eyes closed.
If you sleep all night with eyes opened you could wake up with dry eye symptoms, such as pain, redness, and blurry vision.
In such case, an evaluation by your Doctor is necessary to evaluated for conditions such neuromuscular disorders, autoimmune conditions such Guilliain-Barre, infection (Lyme disease, chickenpox, etc.).
In conclusion, if this was just an episode you should not be worried about, if your eyes stay open during the night, an evaluation is necessary.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Not to be worried, however get a medical evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Sleeping with eyes open may indicate weakness of the muscles that are responsible for keeping the eyes closed.
If you sleep all night with eyes opened you could wake up with dry eye symptoms, such as pain, redness, and blurry vision.
In such case, an evaluation by your Doctor is necessary to evaluated for conditions such neuromuscular disorders, autoimmune conditions such Guilliain-Barre, infection (Lyme disease, chickenpox, etc.).
In conclusion, if this was just an episode you should not be worried about, if your eyes stay open during the night, an evaluation is necessary.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I had my husband explain further what he saw, and he more or less imitated REM sleep with the eyes occasionally opening. Is this normal during REM sleep?
Brief Answer:
Occasional eye opening may happen during REM sleep.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
An occasional opening of the eyes during the REM sleep is possible.
So, if your eyes were opened only a few moments, you should not worry about.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Occasional eye opening may happen during REM sleep.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
An occasional opening of the eyes during the REM sleep is possible.
So, if your eyes were opened only a few moments, you should not worry about.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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