Are you making glaucoma worse as you sleep?
Glaucoma happens when a fluid called aqueous humor builds up in your eye, increasing pressure on the optic nerve and damaging it. Around 4.2 million people in the U.S. have the condition, although not all have been diagnosed. And glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in folks ages 60 and older.
Usually, glaucoma progresses slowly. You might not notice problems until you have blurry vision, small blind spots in your visual field or eye pain. Getting eye exams every one to three years can keep tabs on your eye pressure. Then, if pressure is increasing, your ophthalmologist can prescribe eye drops that reduce fluid production or increase drainage or recommend surgery to open up clogged drainage passages.
But according to a study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, even the most conscientious patient can make their glaucoma worse by sleeping on stacked-up pillows. Two-thirds of study participants experienced moderately increased internal eye pressure when switching from a flat head position (no pillow) to using two pillows. Seems that pillow-stacking constricts the jugular vein, reducing proper drainage of fluids in the eye even more.
While many docs recommend glaucoma patients sleep with a stiff wedge pillow or raise the top of the bed, this is the first study to see what impact stacked pillows (which affect the body differently) may have. So, give flat-sleeping a try, and avoid elevated triglycerides and blood pressure and get plenty of DHA and EPA omega-3s to reduce your risk of glaucoma and help manage it if it develops.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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