SLEEP APNEA AND DRY EYE DISEASE

By Dr. Kevin -

A recent study found that people with obstructive sleep apnea are about three times more likely to have dry eye disease than people without sleep apnea. This higher risk remained even after accounting for other common conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Researchers reviewed health data from more than 40,000 patients with sleep apnea and compared them to over 120,000 similar patients without it. About 18% of sleep apnea patients had dry eye, compared with only 6% of those without sleep apnea.

Because both conditions are long-term and common, the researchers suggest that routine eye exams and dry eye screening should be part of regular care for patients with sleep apnea.

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