Sleeping position

[Moana64]

I have glaucoma in both eyes and had a Preserflo Microshunt inserted March 2023 into my left eye.

Now my right eye requires an I-stent in November , I have currently got a bleed behind my eye, so are worried about sleeping position etc

I have been told not to sleep on a flat pillow , but to be on an incline.

therefore advise is to sleep with two pillows.

Is it better to sleep on your back and not on your side?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. Sleeping on your back is the preferred position, but many people find this difficult and cannot sleep. If you tend to sleep on your side, especially on the side where you has the procedure, I believe you can buy eye masks which are moulded to protect the eye and don't press on it. I'm sure other members will also respond to your post with their suggestions.

[dillydream]

How about a bed wedge of the sort sold for acid reflux or sleep apnoea? Might make sleeping on your back more comfy

[Sorshup]

I suggest you, and other readers, do a few internet searches on the subject of sleep posture and glaucoma. There is a belief that some people experience a rise in IOP during sleep but this can be ameliorated by sleeping on an incline up to 30 degrees. BUT it must be from the lumbar region upwards, whole upper body - a double pillow doesn't do it and because of the distortion of neck blood vessels and nerves can be damaging. ll a bit awkward if sharing a bed ! Research on this not easy, ideally monitoring either the individual or a lot of people overnight to get the true picture. See the article in Glaucoma UK "Insight" magazine, just published, re home monitoring.