Why Do People Sleep With Their Eyes Open? Causes, Risks, and Solutions

A woman sleeping with her eyes open.

Do you often wake up with dry, irritated and painful eyes? You might be sleeping with your eyes partially open, a condition known as nocturnal lagophthalmos.


This blog post covers nocturnal lagophthalmos, its causes, symptoms, potential risks and how to manage and treat this condition.


Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

  • Nocturnal lagophthalmos is the inability to fully close the eyes during sleep, affecting an estimated 20% of people.

  • Potential causes include facial nerve disorders, thyroid disease, genetics, aging, and post-surgical changes in facial structure.

  • Sleeping with open eyes doesn’t always mean you have nocturnal lagophthalmos. It can occur when you experience parasomnias like sleepwalking and night terrors.

Table of Contents

What Is Nocturnal Lagophthalmos?

Research published in the National Library of Medicine defines nocturnal lagophthalmos as the inability to close your eyes fully at night.(1)


It can affect various age groups and demographics, with Complete Eye Care stating it affects approximately 20% of people.(2)


It's common in people with facial nerve disorders and thyroid disease that cause eye swelling, leading to incomplete eyelid closure. A family history may also predispose you to the condition.


Older adults and people who have undergone surgery on their eyelids, like eyelid tightening surgery, may be unable to close their eyelids entirely due to facial structural changes.

Why Do Some People Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Let’s look at conditions that might predispose you to nocturnal lagophthalmos:


Autoimmune disorders that cause nerve damage like Bell's palsy may prevent you from closing your eyelids completely. Lyme disease may cause facial nerve paralysis, impairing eyelid movement. A stroke affecting the brainstem can lead to the paralysis of facial muscles or weak muscle tone. Another cause may be Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disorder that might make people sleep with eyelids partially open.


Thyroid issues, particularly Graves’ disease, can cause swelling in your eye area and your eyes to slightly protrude. Inflammation and protruding eyeballs make it hard to close the eyes completely, potentially causing nocturnal lagophthalmos.


Dry eye syndrome occurs when tears don’t lubricate the eyes adequately. It's characterized by stinging, burning and itchy eyes, which might exacerbate the symptoms of nocturnal lagophthalmos. It can lead to a vicious cycle of eye irritation and poor eye closure.


Research published in the National Library of Medicine found that nocturnal lagophthalmos worsened the symptoms of respondents with dry eye syndrome. Apart from that, they also experienced poor sleep quality, taking longer to drift off, and shorter sleep duration.(4)


Closing your eyelids completely is difficult when your eyelids are short or weak. Your lids might be unable to cover the entire surface area of your eyeballs. Even a small opening leaves a gap for light and irritants to filter in.


Do you consume a lot of alcohol or sleeping pills? These can indirectly cause nocturnal lagophthalmos by resulting in abnormal sleep behaviors and weakening eye muscle tone.


Sleeping with your peepers open doesn’t always mean you have nocturnal lagophthalmos. It might be caused by parasomnias, a class of sleep disorders involving unusual sleep behavior. Parasomnias that cause people to sleep with their eyes open include sleepwalking and night terrors.


(Do you know what else might stay open at night without you realizing it? Your mouth. Read our blog post on how to stop sleeping with your mouth open for solutions.)

Signs and Symptoms of Sleeping With Your Eyes Open

Often, people learn they sleep with their eyes open because their bed partner tells them. However, according to WebMD, there are signs.(3)


Look out for these common symptoms:


  • Blurry or double vision

  • Dry eyes

  • Light sensitivity

  • Feeling there are foreign objects in your eyes

  • Eye redness

Is Sleeping With Your Eyes Open Dangerous?

Sleeping with open eyes at night can be problematic. Complete eyelid closure protects your eyes from irritants and ensures they have sufficient moisture.


If left untreated, exposing the cornea and conjunctiva to air can lead to eye infections like conjunctivitis and more serious eye problems.


The short-term effects of sleeping with open eyes include irritation from dryness and blurred vision.


However, it may cause more serious eye diseases in the long run:


  • Sleeping with open eyes can lead to chronic dry eye syndrome, causing constant discomfort and irritation.

  • It may cause corneal damage, wherein scratching of the cornea and corneal abrasion occur due to a lack of lubrication.

  • Damage to the cornea can result in vision problems over time.

  • It can lead to scarring of the cornea. In extreme cases, this may cause permanent damage to your vision.


Sleeping with open eyes can negatively impact sleep quality. It can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle.


When your eyes aren’t fully closed, you risk light exposure while asleep. Seeing light tells your body that it’s time to be awake. Light represses the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which helps you unwind before bedtime. The outcome? Waking up tired and groggy due to sleep disturbances.

How to Know if You’re Sleeping With Your Eyes Open?

A man sleeping with his eyes open. A video camera is positioned in front of him to record him as he sleeps.

So, how do you determine if you’re sleeping with your peepers open? Here are several methods:


  • Ask a family member or friend to observe you while you sleep.

  • Record yourself sleeping. Use a camera or phone to capture your eye area as you slumber.

  • Be attentive to how you feel when you wake up. Are your eyes red, dry or itchy? Is your vision blurred? Does it hurt to look at light? Do you feel like there are foreign objects in your eyes?

  • If you suspect you sleep with open eyes, get professional help. Consult an eye doctor to identify the underlying cause and receive prompt treatment.

How to Treat or Manage Sleeping With Eyes Open

The good news is that you can ease the symptoms of nocturnal lagophthalmos. Here are a few home remedies to try:


  • Moisture goggles are designed to seal in moisture and keep out air and irritants while you sleep.

  • Also known as artificial tears, lubricating eye drops are typically applied before bed to moisturize peepers. However, you can also use artificial tears throughout the day.

  • A humidifier keeps bedroom air moist, reducing the risk of eye dryness.

  • Gently massage your eyes before sleeping to encourage muscle relaxation and full eye closure.

  • Use medical tape designed especially for the eyelids. This thin adhesive keeps your eyelids shut. Consult a healthcare provider before trying this remedy.

  • To relieve dry and irritated eyes caused by nocturnal lagophthalmos, use a steam eye mask like Manta STEAM Mask to moisturize your peepers.


These home treatment options are a short-term fix for nocturnal lagophthalmos, but proper diagnosis and medical care are essential. Think about it: we’re talking about the windows to your soul here.


Nervous about seeing a doctor? Here’s what’ll likely happen. The doctor will ask about your medical history. You’ll be given a detailed eye exam using a slit lamp, a microscope that emits a bright light.


An article published in the American Academy of Ophthalmology says that eye care experts will assess eyelid closure, blink rate and corneal health. Other tests include examining your facial nerve function and testing for underlying conditions.(5)


Research published in ResearchGate shows that treating nocturnal lagophthalmos depends on the cause.(6) Treatment options include prescription eye drops, eyelid tape or eyelid weights. In severe cases, surgical intervention is required.

Can You Train Yourself to Sleep With Your Eyes Closed?

Self-training is possible for mild cases, requiring a combination of physical and behavioral methods. However, it's important to note that success isn't guaranteed.


  • Relaxation techniques before bed help you unwind and ease muscle tension, encouraging eye closure. Note that evidence for their direct impact on nocturnal lagophthalmos is mostly anecdotal.

  • Eye exercises may also help promote eye closure. Try blinking, eye rolling, and focus-shifting exercises. These strengthen your orbicularis oculi muscle, which controls eyelid movement, helping you keep your eyes closed while asleep.

  • Optimizing your environment for sleep means maintaining a dark bedroom. A contoured sleep mask with eye cavities can improve sleep, as it keeps light, air and irritants away from your peepers. Ensure that the mask doesn’t put any pressure on your eyelids. It'll help with eye closure and improve overall sleep quality.


These methods aren't a replacement for medical interventions. Your eyes are among the most sensitive organs of your body. Ruling out underlying conditions and proper eye care is a must.

Relaxation Techniques for Better Sleep

A man using a steam eye mask to moisturize his dry eyes before sleeping to prevent nocturnal lagophthalmos.

Several relaxation techniques can help you keep your eyes closed when asleep. They also help improve sleep overall.


  • Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing each muscle group, starting from your toes up to your head. It reduces muscle tension, including your facial muscles.

  • Deep breathing is a technique that calms the nervous system. Inhale through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and slowly exhale through your mouth. This technique relaxes your muscles, promoting eye closure.

  • Mindfulness meditation helps you stay in the present by focusing on your breathing. This practice helps ease anxiety, relaxing both mind and body, including your eyes.

  • Warm compression therapy involves applying heat to your eyes to relax the muscles. We mentioned earlier that a steam eye mask helps moisturize dry eyes when awake. However, applying heat before bedtime also relaxes muscles in the eye area, helping keep the eyelids closed during sleep.

Conclusion: Why Would Someone Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Sleeping with open eyes isn’t a choice unless you keep them open forcibly, and why would you want to?


Nocturnal lagophthalmos could lead to eye diseases, other health issues and harm your sleep.


Do you sleep with your eyes open? If so, we hope this article helps you understand, treat and manage this condition. Let us know by commenting below.

Sources:  

(1) "Sleep disorders and the eye." National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18990324/. Accessed 27 March 2025.

(2) "Did You Know That 20% of People Sleep With Their Eyes Open?" Complete Eye Care, www.completeeyecare.net/did-you-know-that-20-of-people-sleep-with-their-eyes-open/. Accessed 27 March 2025.

(3) “Can You Sleep With Your Eyes Open?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-eyes-open. Accessed 27 March 2025.

(4) “Nocturnal Lagophthalmos and Sleep Quality in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.” National Library of Medicine, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7399990/. Accessed 28 March 2025.

(5) “Lagophthalmos Evaluation and Treatment.” American Academy of Ophthalmology, www.aao.org/eyenet/article/lagophthalmos-evaluation-treatment. Accessed 28 March 2025.

(6) “Nocturnal Lagophthalmos.” ResearchGate, www.researchgate.net/publication/246280471_Nocturnal_Lagophthalmos. Accessed 28 March 2025.


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