Why Some Children Sleep With Eyes Open — And What It Could Mean for Their Health

Some kids sleep with their eyes partly open. It can look strange, even scary. But in many cases, it’s harmless. Still, there are times when it can point to a deeper problem, especially if your child also shows signs of poor sleep. Here’s what you should know.

Why do some children sleep with their eyes open?

The medical term is nocturnal lagophthalmos. It means a person can’t fully close their eyelids during sleep. In kids, this can happen because their facial muscles haven’t developed fully. It may also run in families. Most children outgrow it.

But if your child often wakes up tired, complains of dry eyes, or has irritated eyelids in the morning, you should take it seriously. It may be affecting their sleep quality more than you think.

When to worry

If your child sleeps with their eyes open and also:

• Snores loudly

• Stops breathing for a few seconds during sleep

• Wakes up often or seems restless

• Is very sleepy or cranky during the day

• Struggles in school or seems moody

…it could be more than just an eyelid issue. These can be signs of sleep disorders in children, including pediatric sleep apnea.

The link with sleep disorders

Sleeping with eyes open doesn’t always cause sleep problems. But it can make them worse. Kids who have pediatric sleep disorders often don’t get deep, restful sleep. If their eyes don’t close fully, light or dryness might disturb their sleep even more.

Also, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common but often missed sleep disorder in children. It happens when a child’s airway gets blocked during sleep. The brain keeps waking them up to breathe. Even if they don’t remember waking up, their sleep is broken.

Children with OSA may sleep in odd positions, grind their teeth, or gasp for air. Some may keep their eyes partly open because their muscles stay tense due to stress in the body while trying to breathe.

What should parents do?

If your child often sleeps with their eyes open and shows any of the signs above, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. A sleep specialist may suggest a sleep study to check how well your child sleeps. This can help diagnose any hidden child sleep disorder.

If obstructive sleep apnea is found, there are treatments. OSA treatment may include removing enlarged tonsils, using a CPAP machine, or other airway support. Some children improve with simple changes, like better sleep routines or treating allergies.

Final thoughts

Sleeping with eyes open isn't always a problem. But if your child also has poor sleep, snoring, or behavior changes, don’t ignore it. There could be an underlying pediatric sleep disorder. The good news is, with the right support, most children can sleep better—and feel better too.

Sleep matters. And if your child isn’t getting enough of it, even with their eyes closed or open, it’s time to find out why.