Many individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea are unaware of the fact that their sleep disorder may be impacting their sight. Sleep apnea is clinically defined as a disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. The condition is commonly linked to symptoms such as snoring, sleepiness during the day, morning headaches, waking with a sore throat, waking with choking sensations, and insomnia. However, sleep apnea has also been linked to the development of visual conditions that can impair eyesight.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), there are five major ocular conditions that can occur due to sleep apnea.