Floppy eyelids could be a sign of sleep apnoea

New research suggests that patients who suffer from sleep apnoea are more likely to have lax and rubbery upper eyelids.

The study, which was published in The Ocular Surface, included 35 patients who were evaluated by sleep specialists for sleep apnoea. Overnight sleep studies confirmed that 32 of the patients had the condition.

Examinations by ophthalmologists determined that 17 of the patients with sleep apnoea also had a lax eyelid condition.

Researchers encouraged eye health clinicians to be aware of the connection when examining patients.

“They are in the unique position to identify patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnoea and address this critical public health problem,” they emphasised.