Feeling heavy and tired in the eyes upon waking in the morning could be a sign of dry eyes, excessive screen time, or lack of sleep; experts advise getting tested, as this could be the beginning of a serious illness.

Causes of heaviness in the eyes in the morning

If you experience persistent heaviness, fatigue, or mild swelling in your eyes upon waking in the morning, ignoring it as mere fatigue could prove costly. In the digital age, the main causes can range from poor lifestyle habits to various internal health issues. According to medical experts, feeling heaviness in the eyes in the morning could be a sign of a serious illness, and it's crucial to understand the exact cause. Let's explore the main reasons behind feeling heaviness in the eyes upon waking in the morning.

Late-night screen time

These days, it's become increasingly common to spend late nights staring at smartphones, laptops, or watching TV. The blue light emitted by gadgets puts excessive strain on the focusing muscles of the eyes. When you go to sleep immediately after looking at a screen, your eyes don't get enough rest. Furthermore, not getting the required 7 to 9 hours of deep sleep can lead to heavy eyelids, and upon waking, your eyes may feel irritated and strained.

dryness of the eyes

When our eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears dry up too quickly, it's called dry eye disease. Dryness increases if the eyelids aren't completely closed at night or if the air in the room is cold. This can cause a feeling of grittiness, a slight stinging, and heaviness in the eyes upon waking. Dry eye is most common in people who constantly look at screens.

Blepharitis and eye allergies

If you wake up in the morning with a feeling of heaviness in your eyes, along with crusting around the edges of your eyelids, this could be a symptom of blepharitis. This is inflammation caused by blockage or bacteria in the oil glands of the eyelids. Additionally, allergies to dust mites and pet dander on bedding or pillows can increase fluid retention in the eyes overnight, leading to puffy and heavy eyes in the morning.

Kidney or thyroid diseases

If this morning problem persists despite lifestyle modifications and adequate sleep, it could be an early sign of a serious illness. According to experts, persistent puffiness and heaviness under the eyes in the early hours of the morning could be a sign of excessive kidney strain or a thyroid imbalance. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they are unable to remove waste fluids from the body, and the effects of this are first visible around the eyes.

What to do for protection?

To relieve this problem, splash cold water or apply an ice compress to your eyes in the morning. Stop using your mobile phone completely at least an hour before bedtime. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit your salt intake. If your eyes continue to feel heavy, you have blurred vision, or severe pain, instead of self-administering eye drops, consult an ophthalmologist immediately for an examination.