A recent scientific study suggests that sleeping without a pillow may help protect vision in patients with glaucoma, a condition caused by increased fluid pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to a gradual decline in visual function and, ultimately, blindness.
The study was conducted by a research team from several institutions in China, including Zhejiang University and the Zhejiang Eye Disease Research Center, among others. Researchers found that placing pillows under the head during sleep may raise intraocular pressure to potentially harmful levels.
As part of the study, scientists measured intraocular pressure in 144 individuals diagnosed with glaucoma every two hours over a 24-hour period. The results showed that when participants lay flat, eye pressure decreased. However, when their heads were elevated on two pillows during sleep, intraocular pressure rose significantly.
The researchers also observed that elevating the head on pillows reduced blood flow to the eye, potentially harming the optic nerve, which requires a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients. In addition, the elevated position appeared to exert pressure on the jugular vein, potentially impairing the natural drainage of fluids from the eye and further contributing to increased pressure.
According to the study, younger patients and those with open-angle glaucoma were particularly affected by sleeping with pillows. However, the researchers stressed that avoiding pillows does not replace medical treatment or laser therapy for glaucoma. Instead, maintaining a straight neck position during sleep may serve as a simple supportive measure to help stabilise eye pressure overnight.
The findings highlight the importance of sleep posture as a potentially modifiable factor in managing glaucoma, though experts emphasise that patients should continue to follow prescribed treatment plans and consult their doctors before making significant changes to their routine.
