Will Apnea affect our visual ability
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oversea visitor
Will Apnea affect our visual ability
Will our Apnea problem impact our eye sight. I notice that my eye sight is getting worse in a short period of time. Any one have similar issue ? How can we deal with it ?
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neversleeps
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:06 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Well, my first question is are you a diabetic? My second question is how old are you? My third question is what kind of vision problems are you having? Can't see as far as you used to? Can't read as well as you used to? Blurred vision? Poor peripheral vision? Do you wear glasses? When did you last have your eyes tested?
I personally know of no link between sleep apnea and vision problems, other than the connection between sleep apnea and diabetes, and the connection between diabetes and vision problems. But I will keep looking on the internet and if I find something I'll post.
I personally know of no link between sleep apnea and vision problems, other than the connection between sleep apnea and diabetes, and the connection between diabetes and vision problems. But I will keep looking on the internet and if I find something I'll post.
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neversleeps
- Posts: 1141
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- Location: Minnesota
Apparently there is a correlation between sleep apnea and vision as cited in this report issued by A.D.A.M. Inc. a URAC accredited Health Web Site. Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
http://www.morehead.org/wellconnected/000065.htm
Other Adverse Effects on Health
Sleep apnea is associated with a higher incidence of many medical conditions, other than heart and circulation. The links between apneas and the conditions are unclear.
-Pulmonary hypertension.
-Diabetes.
-Kidney failure.
-Peripheral nerve damage (e.g., tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet).
-Liver damage in obese individuals with sleep apnea.
-Seizures, epilepsy, and other nerve disorders. Sleep apnea appears to pose a particularly risk for nocturnal epilepsy (in which seizures occur during sleep).
-Headaches. Some studies strongly suggest that for some people sleep disorders, including apnea, may be the underlying causes of some chronic headaches. In some patients with both chronic headaches and apnea, treating the sleep disorder has been known to cure the headache, even the very severe and disabling form known as a cluster headache.
-Irregular menstrual periods. This occurs in about 40% of premenopausal women. It is not clear how they are related, but one study reported that treating apnea helped normalize periods.
-High-risk pregnancies. Some evidence suggests that there are higher rates of pregnancy complications in women with sleep apnea.
-Eye disorders, including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and various other infections and irritations. A condition called intracranial hypertension has been observed as well in some patients with sleep apnea, which may also damage vision.
-Possibly, Alzheimer’s disease.
Effects on Emotions and Thinking in Adults
Mental Issues in Adults. Some studies have reported that older people with sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness have lower scores on tests for mental functions, such learning and attention. One expert suggested that treating sleep apnea in older patients may correct some cases of dementia that are caused by sleep disturbances. Elderly people with sleep apnea may also be more prone to depression.
Emotional Effects of Sleep Apnea. Studies report an association between severe apnea and psychological problems. In one study, 32% of patients had symptoms of depression. Sleep-related breathing disorders can also exacerbate nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, in one study, treatment of sleep apnea eased these complaints. Certainly, daytime sleepiness interferes with quality of life. It is also possible that severe emotional problems might worsen the apnea. One study investigated the effects of the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil) on patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The agent improved breathing during late sleep stages but had little effect on other aspects of obstructive sleep apnea.
Effects on Bed Partners
Because sleep apnea so often includes noisy snoring, the condition can also adversely affect the sleep quality of a patient's bed partner. Spouses or partners may also suffer from sleeplessness and fatigue. In some cases, the snoring can even disrupt relationships. Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the patient can, of course, help eliminate these problems.
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So I guess that means we should all check with our doctors!!!
http://www.morehead.org/wellconnected/000065.htm
Other Adverse Effects on Health
Sleep apnea is associated with a higher incidence of many medical conditions, other than heart and circulation. The links between apneas and the conditions are unclear.
-Pulmonary hypertension.
-Diabetes.
-Kidney failure.
-Peripheral nerve damage (e.g., tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet).
-Liver damage in obese individuals with sleep apnea.
-Seizures, epilepsy, and other nerve disorders. Sleep apnea appears to pose a particularly risk for nocturnal epilepsy (in which seizures occur during sleep).
-Headaches. Some studies strongly suggest that for some people sleep disorders, including apnea, may be the underlying causes of some chronic headaches. In some patients with both chronic headaches and apnea, treating the sleep disorder has been known to cure the headache, even the very severe and disabling form known as a cluster headache.
-Irregular menstrual periods. This occurs in about 40% of premenopausal women. It is not clear how they are related, but one study reported that treating apnea helped normalize periods.
-High-risk pregnancies. Some evidence suggests that there are higher rates of pregnancy complications in women with sleep apnea.
-Eye disorders, including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and various other infections and irritations. A condition called intracranial hypertension has been observed as well in some patients with sleep apnea, which may also damage vision.
-Possibly, Alzheimer’s disease.
Effects on Emotions and Thinking in Adults
Mental Issues in Adults. Some studies have reported that older people with sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness have lower scores on tests for mental functions, such learning and attention. One expert suggested that treating sleep apnea in older patients may correct some cases of dementia that are caused by sleep disturbances. Elderly people with sleep apnea may also be more prone to depression.
Emotional Effects of Sleep Apnea. Studies report an association between severe apnea and psychological problems. In one study, 32% of patients had symptoms of depression. Sleep-related breathing disorders can also exacerbate nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, in one study, treatment of sleep apnea eased these complaints. Certainly, daytime sleepiness interferes with quality of life. It is also possible that severe emotional problems might worsen the apnea. One study investigated the effects of the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil) on patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The agent improved breathing during late sleep stages but had little effect on other aspects of obstructive sleep apnea.
Effects on Bed Partners
Because sleep apnea so often includes noisy snoring, the condition can also adversely affect the sleep quality of a patient's bed partner. Spouses or partners may also suffer from sleeplessness and fatigue. In some cases, the snoring can even disrupt relationships. Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the patient can, of course, help eliminate these problems.
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So I guess that means we should all check with our doctors!!!
Will Apnea affect our visual ability
I think that it should be pointed out that many of these problems are caused by long tern undetected or untreated apnea and that once treatment starts many of these riskes subside drastically.
I also wanted to point out that the same article says this "Interestingly, one study suggested that although the prevalence of sleep apnea increases with age, its health consequences decline. In the study, apnea posed more of a threat to a person's health before age 45 than afterward."
I also wanted to point out that the same article says this "Interestingly, one study suggested that although the prevalence of sleep apnea increases with age, its health consequences decline. In the study, apnea posed more of a threat to a person's health before age 45 than afterward."
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rock and roll
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AllShookUp
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 8:56 am
Hey neversleeps
Thanks for that post. Quite interesting. I like it when you guys post articles about SA. That way I don't have to go look it up. I too have eye problems (dry eyes) and cpap has improved it quite drastically, unfortunately my ability to read without glasses has not improved.
Thanks for that post. Quite interesting. I like it when you guys post articles about SA. That way I don't have to go look it up. I too have eye problems (dry eyes) and cpap has improved it quite drastically, unfortunately my ability to read without glasses has not improved.
Texas Expert in Sleep Wrestling
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ahujudybear
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am
- Location: Franklin, WI
One thing to keep in mind?
xPAP therapy could make our vision worse, particularly if we are diabetic, theoretically.
See, when you are trying to stabilize your glucose levels at a different level (i.e., when your blood sugar is moving up or down) your vision becomes worse for awhile. Once your sugars stabilize, your vision returns to normal. Now, if xPAP therapy has an effect of lowering elevated blood sugar, this could impact your vision for awhile, until you are able to readjust your Rx and re-stabilize your sugar levels.
Theoretically.
- JB
xPAP therapy could make our vision worse, particularly if we are diabetic, theoretically.
See, when you are trying to stabilize your glucose levels at a different level (i.e., when your blood sugar is moving up or down) your vision becomes worse for awhile. Once your sugars stabilize, your vision returns to normal. Now, if xPAP therapy has an effect of lowering elevated blood sugar, this could impact your vision for awhile, until you are able to readjust your Rx and re-stabilize your sugar levels.
Theoretically.
- JB
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Gustav Graves
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:30 pm
- Location: PA
Vision
My eye doctor advised me not to change my glasses when my blood glucose is not in good control. I am nearsighted and my vision gets better (less nearsighted) when my blood sugar is high. The Doc says it has to do with the moisture level (changing to to glucose levels) in the eye's lens changing the refraction.
I have been on cpap over six months and have not noticed much change in my glucose levels.
I have been on cpap over six months and have not noticed much change in my glucose levels.
Life is short! Why waste time on sleep?
Re: Will Apnea affect our visual ability
As an insulin diabetic, I am quite intense on keeping a close check on eyes, feet/limbs/healing, than before. One must and be diligent about keeping a standing opthamology appt. yearly, at best. My eye surgeon, does several different tests, besides the usuals to watch my vision, eye health. I was told about 1 mo. that I do not have any signs of diabetic retinapothy in my eyes. Careful monitoring of daily glucose numbers is important as well. Diabetics are very prone to these problems. Throw the sleep apnea in on top and all the potential problems not treating OSA, and I'm sure for some down the road, some of these eye problems could be problematic.....sleep deprivation affects metabolism, etc.
I'm not a doctor these are just my opinions, having the added problems inherent with diabetes.
Getting OSA treatment has helped me, my daily glucose numbers, energy level. I am not doing a dance, but I am at least not falling asleep listening to the music!!
I'm not a doctor these are just my opinions, having the added problems inherent with diabetes.
Getting OSA treatment has helped me, my daily glucose numbers, energy level. I am not doing a dance, but I am at least not falling asleep listening to the music!!
oversea visitor wrote:
Will our Apnea problem impact our eye sight. I notice that my eye sight is getting worse in a short period of time. Any one have similar issue ? How can we deal with it ?
9 posts
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