The key points

• Can you sleep with your eyes open? Yes! The causes range from psychological factors to anatomical peculiarities and neurological disorders.

• If your eyes are permanently half-open, this can lead to dryness, irritation or even damage to the cornea.

• The problem can often be alleviated with simple measures such as sleep masks, eye pillows or relaxation exercises.

Why some people sleep with their eyes open

Our eyes usually close automatically when we fall asleep – we start to notice this when we’re tired and our eyelids get heavier. The sleep hormone melatonin then ensures rest and switches our body to recovery mode. The muscles relax.

For some people, however, this mechanism does not work – their eyes remain fully or at least half-open when they sleep. There are many reasons for this. Some people are genetically predisposed; others develop this behaviour over the course of their lives. However, it is often due to a combination of physical and psychological factors.

Stress and other psychological factors

One of the most common triggers for sleeping with your eyes open is stress. Your body can’t switch off properly when it’s on constant alert – your muscles don’t fully relax, and your eyelids remain partially open. Anxiety disorders or chronic sleep problems can intensify this effect.

In stressful phases of life, it can therefore help to consciously focus on relaxation: breathing exercises, meditation or an evening ritual with a soothing herbal tea and soft, breathable sleepwear allow the body and mind to settle down gently.

Hare eye (lagophthalmos)

A common medical cause for sleeping with open eyes is what is known as lagophthalmos, also referred to colloquially as ‘hare eye’. In this condition, the eyelids cannot close completely, which can lead to problems not only at night but also during the day.

Lagophthalmos can be congenital but can also be caused by damage to certain facial nerves, surgery or diseases such as facial paralysis. If the condition persists, medical treatment is important to prevent consequential damage.

Sleep paralysis

Another reason may be sleep paralysis – a state between wakefulness and sleep in which the body cannot move even though the consciousness is active. In this case, the eyes may be open even though the body is ‘sleeping’. Those affected often describe this condition as frightening, as they can see but cannot react.

Sleep paralysis occurs more often in people with irregular sleep patterns or a lack of sleep. A regular sleep routine, stress reduction measures and a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the risk.

Light sleep for toddlers

Sleeping with half-open eyes is not uncommon in babies and toddlers and is usually completely harmless. Because their sleep phases are still very short and shallow, it may not be possible for them to enter deep sleep and their eyelids may not close completely. This phenomenon usually disappears on its own as they get older.

Do I sleep with my eyes open? These are the signs

Those who sleep alone often don’t notice that their eyes remain open at night. However, if you regularly wake up in the morning with dry, red or itchy eyes, this could be an indication. The feeling of having something in your eye or sensitivity to light are also typical signs.

Some sufferers also report that their eyes are sticky in the morning and are difficult to open. If you experience any of these symptoms, a medical examination is a good idea. Your sleep will be monitored in a sleep laboratory to determine whether you actually have lagophthalmos or whether there are other causes.

Is sleeping with your eyes open unhealthy?

In general, those who only occasionally sleep with their eyes half-open, for example due to acute stress, need not worry. However, the situation becomes critical if your eyes dry out regularly because they remain open at night. In this case, the cornea may be damaged, which in the long term can lead to visual problems or an irritated conjunctiva.

Sleep quality can also suffer, as light continues to enter the eye and the body does not fully receive the signal that ‘night = rest’. As a result, your sleep may not be as deep and may be affected by frequent wake-ups or even insomnia.

How to keep your eyes closed at night

If your eyes are occasionally open at night, this is probably due to psychological factors such as stress. You can counteract this with targeted measures to help you come to rest.

Relaxation and massage

Regular relaxation exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation, yoga or meditation can help to loosen the muscles around the eyes. Gentle eye massages or a warm compress also relax the eyes and promote blood circulation, making it easier to close the eyelids.

Eye pillows or eye masks

A sleep mask can work wonders as it protects the eyes from constant draught, prevents them from drying out and at the same time ensures darkness – an important signal for stimulating melatonin production.

Alternatively, eye pillows containing lavender or flaxseed can also help. Thanks to the relaxing additives and weight, they have a calming effect that counteracts stress and inner restlessness.

Medical interventions if medically necessary

If there are anatomical causes for you sleeping with your eyes open, surgical interventions may be necessary, in which the eyelid muscles are corrected or strengthened. This is particularly useful if the eyes can no longer fully close or if damage has already occurred.

In conclusion

Sleeping with your eyes open may sound unusual at first, but it is by no means uncommon – and in most cases it is harmless. It is often due to stress or an irregular sleep pattern, but sometimes it can also be due to medical causes such as lagophthalmos or sleep paralysis.

If you wake up in the morning with dry, red eyes or constantly feel tired despite getting enough sleep you should take these symptoms seriously and seek medical attention if necessary. With conscious relaxation, good sleep habits and small aids such as eye masks, the problem can often be alleviated quickly.