Recent research indicates that sleeping on high pillows can pose serious risks to eye health. Elevated pillows increase pressure on the optic nerves and hinder the natural drainage of eye fluids, potentially leading to glaucoma and, in severe cases, blindness.

Experts recommend sleeping on a low pillow or without one to improve blood, oxygen, and nutrient flow to the eyes, maintaining eye health.

The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, involved 144 glaucoma patients and found that eye pressure increased by up to two-thirds when participants slept with their heads raised 35 degrees, along with more fluctuations in eye pressure throughout the day.

Tests on 20 healthy volunteers showed that elevated pillows caused noticeable constriction of the jugular vein, affecting blood flow from the head to the heart.

Dr. Kaijun Wang, lead researcher, stated that glaucoma patients could benefit from adjusting sleeping positions to reduce eye pressure, emphasizing that such simple behavioral changes can help manage eye pressure over time.

Results also indicated that younger adults are more susceptible to elevated eye pressure when using high pillows compared to older adults. Glaucoma typically develops slowly, initially affecting peripheral vision, and can be treated with eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery.

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