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 moo...