Ocular Health in Sleep Apnea: A Comprehensive Overview

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by complete or partial obstruction of the airway during sleep resulting in pauses in breathing (apneas) along with loud snoring, and frequent arousals from sleep. In addition to suffering from fragmented sleep and excessive daytime drowsiness, patients with OSAHS are at risk of serious ophthalmic complications including primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and floppy eyelid syndrome. Effectively treating OSAHS can minimize long-term ocular complications. The authors review the common ocular complications associated with OSAHS and emphasize the need for early screening.

KEYWORDS:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• obstructive sleep hypopnea (OSAHS)
• primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
• non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION)
• idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)
• floppy eyelid syndrome