Advice on sleep positions with glaucoma

[Crafty-gran]

Help I’m confused

What is the advice for sleep and glaucoma?

Ive read that by sleeping flat or one pillow it can affect the pressure and blood flow to optic disc/nerves

Yet other advice says it doesn’t

Confused

[711debbie]

I sleep on a pillow on top of a wedge pillow from Amazon and wear an eye shield (also from Amazon) on the side I sleep on to keep the pressure down.

[Crafty-gran in reply to 711debbie]

thank you

I also have arthritis in my neck so advice about how best to sleep for that conflicts with some advice about the best position for glaucoma

And there seems to be conflicting advice about sleep position and glaucoma

I’ve recently been diagnosed so reading lots

[Crafty-gran in reply to 711debbie]

Thank you

[711debbie]

SLEEP POSITION

Researchers in South Korea, Canada, and the United States have presented solid evidence on sleep position, IOP, and glaucoma. The eye with worse visual field damage from glaucoma correlates with the preferred sleeping side in patients who self-reported a primary sleep position. An eye’s compression against a pillow or arm raises the IOP, and the lateral decubitus position produces a greater elevation in pressure in the eye with worse glaucomatous damage than in the healthier eye.2

Malihi and Sit found that neck flexion or extension aggravated supine IOP elevation and should be avoided.3 Buys and colleagues reported that a head-up position via a 15º wedge pillow could mitigate supine IOP elevation.4

Based on existing evidence, we clinicians can recommend that patients try to avoid a single side for sleeping preference or that they use a wedge pillow.

Sorry, but can't help with the arthritis problem.

[Crafty-gran in reply to 711debbie]

Thank you

That’s really interesting

[PeterRabbit62]

I slept flat on one pillow for years, and I was not asked about my sleeping arrangements at any check ups, that was until I have my back operation in 2022, after that I now sleep with 2 pillows, still no questions from my Opthalmologist about my sleeping arrangements now either, I just swapped to 2 pillows because I feel more comfortable, and if it makes you feel more comfortable used more pillows, speak to your Opthalmologist about it if it worry you. Best wishes

[Crafty-gran in reply to PeterRabbit62]

Thank you

[judetheobscure22]

I always sleep on my left side. It's the right eye that has glaucoma. The left has slightly raised pressure but not glaucoma yet.

[Crafty-gran in reply to judetheobscure22]

Thank you

The information I’ve read is about not lying flat but head raised up

[sheelc]

I researched sleeping positions after being diagnosed with ocular hypertension, there's a fair bit of info out there but I wasn't sure what to believe initially. Finally decided to trial a wedge pillow from Putnams in Devon which has worked out ok for me as I now sleep raised, on my back most of the night and so far so good. At no stage did the hospital suggest this but equally, most of the info about OP & Glaucoma I've had to obtain from the internet anyway. It's my choice to do this and I hope it helps in some way, only time will tell!

[judetheobscure22]

I do find it disappointing how little the specialists tell you. I wouldn't know anything about sleeping position, yoga or heavy weights, playing brass instruments etc. if I hadn't used the internet - all of which affect me. I'm also repeatedly being told that nothing will improve my eyesight, it will just save what I have if I'm lucky. But using the eyedrops has already improved my eyesight, especially first thing in the morning. Before eyedrops it would be very difficult to type this at this time of day.

[Crafty-gran in reply to judetheobscure22]

I totally agree that there is no information given at time of diagnosis or even sign posted to help

It’s natural to turn to dr google for information bit can be contradictory

I’m glad I found the support of this group

I hope everything goes well with you

Good to stay in touch

[valfrance]

Hi i cant use those wedge pillows so uncomfortable. I just put 2 pieces of wood under my bed so the pillow area is raised..its important to sleep well..