How to Watch Silent Night

Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Annabelle Wallis star in this dark festive comedy that centers on a group of friends who gather for Christmas. But when everyone in the house dies from a poisonous gas, it will take more than laughs and stiff upper lips to keep them all together.

Sleeping with your eyes open

Normally, your eyes close at night and are protected by your eyelids. These help your eyes stay dark and moist so they can maintain their health. They also contain tears, which lubricate the surface of your eyes, and provide natural antibiotics.

However, if you have a condition that prevents your eyelids from closing completely when you sleep, it's called nocturnal lagophthalmos. It's most common among adults, but it can happen in children as well.

Nocturnal lagophthalmos isn't harmful, but it can cause dry and irritated eyes, particularly in older adults. It's best to get a checkup from an ophthalmologist to find out the cause and prevent further damage.

Some people have nocturnal lagophthalmos because of a medical problem or physical abnormality, such as a drooping upper eyelid. Others have it because of problems with their facial nerves, muscles, or skin around the eyelids.

If you have nocturnal lagophthalmos, your doctor will do a thorough examination and may need to look into your eyes with a mirror. They'll observe whether you open your eyes while you're asleep and how quickly they close after a few seconds.

You'll also need to answer some questions about your health and lifestyle. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and any recent injuries, infections, allergies or surgeries that you may have.

For example, if you have diabetes, your doctor may want to know about any recent dietary changes. If you have a heart disease, your doctor may also want to know about any medications you take or other treatments that could cause problems.

Your doctor may also want to know if you're taking certain medications before you go to bed, like sedatives or antihistamines. These can interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Usually, you'll need to have someone else look or take pictures while you're asleep so that your doctor can see if your eyes are still closed when you wake up. You should also discuss any symptoms you might be experiencing, such as dry, red, or irritated eyes. Your doctor may recommend treatments, such as eye drops or air humidifiers to keep your eyes comfortable during sleep.

Medical causes

Silent heart attacks are a type of heart attack that strikes people who don't experience typical heart attack symptoms such as chest pain, pressure or a stabbing sensation. They account for 45% of all heart attacks and are more common in men than women.

Some patients may not be aware they have a silent heart attack because it can take weeks or months for their symptoms to become apparent. They often mistakenly think they have strained a muscle in their chest or upper back, says Ekery.

Symptoms of a silent heart attack include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing while awake, pain or discomfort in the chest, neck or jaw, and sweating or dizziness. This can be a sign of a severe problem, such as a coronary artery disease or a heart valve condition.

Nocturia, or the need to get up frequently to urinate during sleep, can be a sign of an underlying medical issue such as kidney failure or diabetes. It can also be a side effect of medication or diuretics.

Acid reflux, or backwards flow of stomach acid into the throat and larynx, is another possible cause of nighttime wakeups. In adults, it can lead to long-term damage and irritation of the throat and voice box. It can increase the risk of cancer in the area, irritate asthma and bronchitis, and aggravate emphysema.

The floppy eyelid syndrome is another condition that interferes with eye closure, causing the eyes to remain open during sleep. This happens because of a condition called lagophthalmos, where the eyelids are not able to close fully. Sometimes, the condition is a result of a condition like Bell's palsy or thyroid disease, which causes bulging eyes (called Grave's disease).

If you have nocturnal lagophthalmos, your doctor will check to see whether your eyelids are closing on their own or if they twitch when you sleep. Your doctor may ask you to gently twitch your eyes while they are closed and observe what happens.

Your doctor will likely recommend that you wear moisture goggles, or a soft cotton ball filled with water, to keep your eyes moist overnight. This can help reduce the effects of nocturnal lagophthalmos, such as dry eye. Over time, nocturnal lagophthalmos can cause chronic dry eyes, leading to corneal ulcers, corneal abrasions and exposure keratopathy.

Behavioral causes

While sleep is essential to your health, it can be difficult to get the full rest you need if you sleep with your eyes open. Fortunately, there are treatments to help you sleep soundly without waking up with dry or itchy eyes.

One of the most common causes of sleeping with your eyes open is nocturnal lagophthalmos, a condition that prevents one or both eyelids from fully closing when you sleep. This can cause discomfort and pain, and can impact your vision and sleep patterns. You can find treatments for this condition in your doctor's office.

Another reason you may be sleeping with your eyes open is if you have a sleep disorder. These are abnormal behaviors that occur while you're asleep and can include things like sitting up, talking or walking. If you have these problems, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible so you can get a better night's sleep and regain your health.

You might also have a sleep disorder that causes you to wake up in the middle of the night. In these cases, your brain is unable to fully switch from deep sleep to REM sleep. This can lead to a lack of restorative sleep, making you tired and irritable. If this is the case, you can try medications that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep more easily.

If you're a victim of relationship violence, it can be especially damaging to have your abuser give you the silent treatment. This can be a form of control that prevents you from telling your partner about the abuse you're experiencing, which can lead to further abuse and escalation.

While you should never listen to an abusive partner, there are times when it's necessary to speak up. You may need to tell your partner what's going on, or you might want to take a timeout from the argument so that you can cool down and gather your thoughts. You may be able to do this without letting your partner know what's going on, but it's best to do so as soon as you can.

Managing sleep with your eyes open

Many people sleep with their eyes open for a variety of reasons. Some people do it as a form of meditation, while others may have sleeping disorders or other problems that cause their eyelids to stay open during sleep.

However, it is not a healthy habit to practice. In fact, it can be dangerous and can lead to permanent damage of your eye health.

If you find yourself frequently sleeping with your eyes open, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor. This is because it could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as Bell's Palsy, stroke, thyroid disease or facial nerve damage.

The condition is called nocturnal lagophthalmos, and it occurs in about 1 in 20 people. It is a chronic eye condition that causes the eyes to remain partially open while you sleep, which can lead to dry eyes and discomfort.

Symptoms include a burning or itching sensation, pain, blurry vision, and redness. The eyes may also feel scratchy or dry, and the eyelids might feel tight.

There are several causes of nocturnal lagophthalmos, but the most common is a problem with the shape or size of your upper eyelids. If this is the case, it can be treated with reconstructive cosmetic surgery to fix the problem and help your eyelids close properly while you sleep.

Another common cause of nocturnal lagophthalmos is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. This can result in an enlarged eyelid that doesn’t shut properly.

In rare cases, a person with nocturnal lagophthalmos has a facial condition called Moebius syndrome that weakens the muscles of the eyelid and makes it difficult to close them completely. This is a hereditary condition that typically resolves itself as children grow older.

The most effective way to prevent nocturnal lagophthalmos is to schedule a routine eye exam. During this visit, your eye doctor will examine the health of your eyes and the shape of your eyelids to determine if there is a problem with them.

In most cases, nocturnal lagophthalmos is a mild condition that does not cause any serious complications or damage to your eyes. However, if left untreated for an extended period, it can lead to a variety of eye health problems such as blurred or double vision, dry eyes and a weakened corneal barrier that can increase your risk of eye infections and other eye issues.