Published: 28 April 2025

The Background Over the last several years, research has indicated a strong correlation between the presence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and glaucoma. Information from some of these pivotal studies is presented below. Did you know Glaucoma affects over 60 million people worldwide and almost 3 million people in the U.S. There are many people who have glaucoma but have not yet had it diagnosed. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. If glaucoma is not detected and goes untreated, it can result in peripheral vision loss and irreversible blindness. Sleep apnea is a condition that obstructs breathing during sleep. It affects 100 million people around the globe and around 25 million people in the U.S. A blocked airway can cause loud snoring, gasping, or choking because breathing stops for up to two minutes. Poor sleep due to sleep apnea results in morning headaches and chronic daytime sleepiness. The Studies In January 2016, a meta-analysis by Liu et. al., reviewed studies that collectively encompassed 2,288,701 individuals over six studies. Review of the data showed that if an individual has OSA there is an increased risk of glaucoma that ranged anywhere from 21% to 450% depending on the study. Later in 2016, a study by Shinmei et al. measured the intraocular pressure in subjects with OSA while they slept and had episodes of apnea. Somewhat surprisingly, they found that when the subjects were demonstrating apnea during sleep, their eye pressures were actually lower than when the events were not happening. This does not mean there is no correlation between sleep apnea and glaucoma - it just means that an increase in intraocular pressure is not the causal reason for this link. It is much more likely that the correlation is caused by a decrease in the oxygenation level (which happens when you stop breathing) in and around the optic nerve. In September of 2016, Chaitanya et al. produced an exhaustive review of all the studies done to date regarding a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and glaucoma and came to a similar conclusion. The risk for glaucoma in someone with sleep apnea could be as high as 10 times normal. They also concluded that the mechanism of that increased risk is most likely hypoxia – or oxygen deficiency - to the optic nerve. A more recent study showed that even when factors such as age, gender, and disease are taken into account, there was up to a 40% greater chance of developing glaucoma when obstructive sleep apnea is present. The Conclusion There seems to be a definite correlation between having obstructive sleep apnea and a significantly increased risk of getting glaucoma. That risk could be as high as 10 times the normal rate. It's highly recommended that if you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea that you have have a comprehensive eye exam in order to detect your potential risk for glaucoma. Article contributed by Dr. Brian Wnorowski, M.D.

Published: 21 April 2025

There are many options available to adults and children for corrective lenses (glasses and contacts) when engaged in physical activities. Here is a look at the different modalities and the pros and cons of each: Prescription Sports Goggles (e.g., Rec Specs) The main benefits of goggles while playing sports are vision stability and eye protection. When playing fast-moving sports--like basketball, soccer, and rugby--elbows, wrists, and heads fly around at high speed, increasing the risk of eye injury. The eyes and eye sockets can be protected when covered by shatter-proof lenses. Additionally, there is no worry over having a contact lens pop out of the eye, which can be a debilitating experience for some people. The main drawback to goggles is that they can be cumbersome, decrease peripheral vision, and fog up. Additionally, very high prescriptions might not be available due to frame limitations. On the whole, this is a very good option for many people. One additional advantage to sports goggles is that they can often be made with Transitions lenses, providing automatic sun protection in bright light. Contact Lenses For many people, the best visual option is contact lenses, particularly soft contact lenses. The main benefits include no decrease in visual field, no fogging of lenses, and no unsightly, heavy glasses. But where sports goggles shine, contact lenses fall short--there is a higher risk of injury, the possibility of less stable vision (especially when wearing multifocal or astigmatic lenses), and the potential of a lens falling out during activities. Gas permeable (hard) lenses are not recommended for sports. Wearing Nothing For those whose prescriptions are not so high as to prevent proper functioning without correction, wearing no correction whatsoever is a fine choice. I’m often asked by parents whether their child absolutely needs to wear correction when they are playing sports. It really depends on how high the prescription is and the activity in which the child is engaged. If someone can see well enough to perform the goals without being hindered, not wearing any correction is perfectly fine. There are plenty of options available for athletes. Visit your eye doctor to see what the best option is for your particular needs. Article contributed by Dr. Jonathan Gerard