You are watching: Sleep with one eye open meaning
The objective of closing ours eyes when we sleep is to help our body in blocking out light that would otherwise signal waking hours to the mind (via Psychology Today). However you would most likely be surprised to know that when 80 percent of world sleep through both eye closed, 20 percent of world sleep with open eyes (via Offen eye Associates). So what room some factors this occurs?
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers discovered that several types of pets engage in what"s referred to as "unihemispheric sleep," a state in which one fifty percent of the mind is sleep while the other half remains alert and also awake. This pattern of habits is generally seen in bird or aquatic mammals who, out of necessity, require to preserve attention as soon as sleeping therefore they have the right to swim or fly lengthy distances. The study discovered that humans additionally engage in unihemispheric sleep once they discover themselves in new or unfamiliar situations. As a result, the eye that continues to be open synchronizes to the next of the mind that stays awake. During unihemispheric sleep, sleep is expected to be less restful than as soon as in settings where we feel much more at home.
According to Psychology Today, some human being are can not to sleep through their eyes completely closed because of nerve or muscle problems in the face. These muscles have the right to be impacted by any variety of things such as facial trauma, stroke, details autoimmune disorders, or Bell"s palsy. Healthline defines Bell"s palsy as "a condition that reasons a short-term weakness or paralysis of the muscle in the face. The can happen when the nerve the controls her facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or compressed." due to the fact that this condition reasons drooping ~ above one side of the face, the eyelid can likewise be affected and have the right to become an overwhelming to close. Similarly, eyelid damage, whether from surgical treatment or exterior injuries, can also pose challenge in fully closing one"s eye.
Although the isn"t as frequently known, thyroid problems can also an outcome in resting with her eyes open. Graves" disease, a specific kind of hyperthyroidism, can develop redness, inflammation, or bulging eyes, obstructing our capability to totally close our eye at night (via American Thyroid Association).
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In some cases, sleeping with one eye open can lead to further vision complications. However, there space treatment alternatives available. Some said examples include keeping your eye moisturized with the use of eye drops, or making use of a median prescribed load or ice to aid cover your eye in ~ night (via Healthline). If you uncover yourself experiencing restless sleep, dryness, or irritated eyes, consult v your physician to uncover the right treatment options for you.