Ocular hypertension and insomnia

[YoungontheOutside]

My glaucoma consultant is concerned that the IOP in my left eye is too high. I’ve already had a trab on my right eye and she says that if the left one doesn’t go down I will need to have a trab on that eye too. I’ve been suffering with insomnia since I got Covid about a month ago and haven’t had a good night sleep since. I understand that insomnia can lead to high IOP. I’m a little bit wary about taking medications because I understand that they too can raise IOP. Is anyone aware of any safe preparations I could take so that I could get it good night sleep and so help lower my eye pressure?

Thank you in advance ☺️

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

This very much depends on the type of glaucoma you have. If a person has Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma, they have to be more wary as any relaxants can cause the eye to dilate and push forward, causing the drainage angle to become narrowing, which can affect the eye pressure. People with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma or Normal Tension Glaucoma may be able to take something to help them sleep.

The best thing would be to call the eye secretary with your concerns. They will check with the consultant and get back to you and advise if it is ok to take something to help you sleep.

There are also sleep apps you can use to help you relax and encourage you to fall asleep naturally.

[Floaters]

I consult this list before starting new meds.

brightfocus.org/glaucoma/ar...

[mrswaffle in reply to Floaters]

Thank you for that; it was very interesting and informative.

[Littletreasures]

That’s interesting. I hadn’t been aware of the link between insomnia and glaucoma. Previous to being diagnosed with glaucoma I had insomnia caused by work related stress which went on for about 3 years. Since leaving my job I am now sleeping better. Maybe look at what is causing your insomnia although I know that it’s not always easy to identify the cause.

[Sufitzy]

hi

All the meds I have looked at can affect the pressure but it’s worth talking to the gp because of term short term use is very rare to cause a problem .

Non medication I go with no caffeine e after 6. Don’t dink fizzy drinks or hot chocolate close the bed time as they both may cause you to need to loo in the night . And a warm bath about half an hour before bed.

Wishing you some good nights

Sx

[Beecalmed]

Sorry to hear about your insomnia. I don’t have any medication recommendations but I read that eating pulses (lentils, peas , beans) aides sleep. I now include some pulses in my diet most days and I do fall a sleep quicker and get more deep sleep.

[Lovemy2woofs]

magnesium glycinate can help some people get to sleep better.

[tkhach44 in reply to Lovemy2woofs]

Magnesium Citrate helps me too. Sometimes I do "Sleep Yoga", which consists to enumerate each part of your face, once you are in bed and you cannot sleep, and mindfully ordering your face muscles to relax, then your eyes: repeating in your mind, "relax my eyes, relax my eyes", then relax, relax my shoulders, then relax my hands, and so on, until relax my legs, and toes. I usually get into sleep, after ordering my shoulders and neck to relax.