Effect of sleep related breathing disorders on ocular function

IntroductionSleep disorders are common and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is the commonest. OSAHS is not commonly diagnosed by the ophthalmologist, but it has many systemic and ocular complications.Aim of the workThe aim of this study was to detect the effect of sleep related breathing disorders on ocular function.Patients and methodsThirty patients with OSAHS were enrolled after obtaining informed consents. Patients were subjected to full history taking, Epworth sleepiness scale, anthropometric data, Mallampati score, clinical apnea score, sleep study and complete ocular examination.Results4 patients had mild OSAHS (13.33%), 12 patients had moderate OSAHS (40%) and 14 patients had severe OSAHS (46.67%) two of them had sleep hypoventilation. 4 patients were free from any ocular manifestations. In 26 patients one or more of the following ocular findings were found: floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) was detected in 3 (10%) patients, glaucoma was diagnosed in 5 (16.67%) patients, senile cataract was found in 3 (10%) patients, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was detected in 4 (13.33%) patients, papilledema was diagnosed in 3 (10%) patients and 18 (60%) patients had dry eye manifestations.In conclusionThe increased prevalence of ocular symptoms and signs in patients with OSAHS indicates a need to increase awareness and establish close collaboration with the sleep physicians with clear pathways for review of OSAHS patients by the ophthalmic services. We should study the effect of treatment of OSAHS on the ocular manifestations.