A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology further suggests that for people with glaucoma, the common practice of using multiple pillows may be counterproductive.
Researchers explained that stacked pillows change the position of the neck, which can compress the jugular vein. This compression disrupts the drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid that nourishes the eye tissues (such as the cornea and lens) and helps maintain the eye’s shape and internal pressure.
Experiments were conducted that showed that of all 96 participants, 67% had a demonstrable increase in IOP when transitioning from supine to elevated position, with an average increase of approximately 1.61 mm Hg.
The results further indicate that young adults were much more likely to have a significantly greater IOP than older adults, as were those with primary open-angle glaucoma. Because this study is observational, no firm conclusions can be drawn about direct cause and effect.
It has been observed that patients with glaucoma may benefit from avoiding sleep positions that cause venous jugular compression to reduce IOP elevation. These types of behavioral adjustments are simple yet provide an effective strategy for optimizing IOP management in the long term.
In addition, the study has some limitations, including a small number of participants in each of the glaucoma groups. Further research is needed to validate these preliminary findings, which may be related to the venous compensation of the carotid artery caused by neck flexion.
