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After a long day at work, we usually feel our eyelids getting heavy as if something is pulling them down. It can be after a day of intense exercise or when we stare at the computer screen for hours at the office.
Dr. Sneha Shah, ophthalmologist, and an aesthetic surgeon talks to IANS What makes our eyes heavy when we are tired and sleepy?
To understand this, we must first understand the basic anatomy of the eye. The eyelids are composed of thin layers of skin and muscles that play an important role in protecting the delicate structures of the eye from external factors such as dust, debris, and bright light. They also contribute greatly to the overall appearance and expression of the face.
The muscles around the eyes that hold our eyes in position, play the same role as any other muscle in our body when it feels tired after long days of regular use. In other words, just as the muscles in our arms and legs increase in lead from extended use after a physically exhausting day, so too do the muscles around our eyes fatigue and feel fatigued.
This is especially true for the eye and brow muscles because they are most active when we are awake. Therefore, in general, the heaviness of the eyelids in otherwise healthy individuals is due to the fatigue that these muscles experience while we are awake.
Various factors responsible for eye sleep are:
Muscle fatigue: After an insufficient amount of rest or long periods of being awake, the muscles around the eyes become tired and weak which can cause the eyelids to lose tone and firmness causing them to droop or droop.
Decreased blood flow and stasis: Blood clots in the veins and the eyes become heavy due to stagnation, eye bags appear under the eyes and dark circles are also formed due to the dark color of the venous blood.
Stress and tension: Long screen time or intense visual focus such as working on the computer or reading for long periods of time can strain the muscles around our eyes leading to feelings of fatigue and sleepiness.
facial expression: Apart from the physical changes in the eyelids, sleepy eyes can also greatly affect our facial expressions and our overall appearance. When we feel tired, our facial muscles relax, causing our expressions to become less animated and lively.
These can also occur as a result of aging changes around the eyes. This can be accelerated by prolonged exposure to the sun and the harmful light from our gadgets! Puffiness and sagging of the tissues around the eyes make them look sluggish and tired.
Treatment for sleepy eyes:
Massage around the eyes: It can help relieve a lot of stress and make you feel better instantly. This can be done using just your fingertips or using tools like a jade roller or gua sha.
Get enough sleep: The best solution to dealing with sleepy eye problems is to make it a priority to get enough rest every night. We should aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep to rest and fully rejuvenate our body and eyes.
Keep yourself hydrated: Drink lots and lots of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated as dehydration can increase eye fatigue and the feeling of heaviness.
Take a break from the screen: Spend long hours in front of the screen, then you should take regular breaks to rest your eyes and reduce eye strain. An interesting exercise one can do is to practice the 20-20 rule where every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
Apply cold compress: Apply cold compresses or cold cucumber slices to the eyes for a few minutes to reduce swelling and soothe tired eyes. Cold temperatures help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.
Effects of sleepy eyes on overall health:
Drowsy eyes can make it difficult to stay alert, reduce productivity, and even cause safety hazards such as impaired driving. It can also have some significant effects on our physical and mental well-being. Long periods of insufficient sleep can lead to mood disturbances, such as irritability, anxiety, and depression.
On the other hand, one may be completely rested, and yet their friends/colleagues may comment that they look tired/sleepy. This can have a significant impact on self-confidence. In such cases, an oculoplastic and aesthetic surgeon can be consulted to find out the exact cause of this appearance and provide appropriate solutions.
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