Could You Sleep Without Eyelids?

Most people who cannot close their eyes while sleeping have a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos

. Most with this condition have eyelids that cannot close enough to cover the eye partly or completely.

What happens if eyelids are removed?

If you cut or tear the tissue of your eyelid, it can damage the parts of your eyes that drain tears. It's important to see a special eye doctor called an ophthalmologist if you have a severe injury that affects your eyelid or tear drainage system.

Do you need eyelids?

The main role of the eyelids is to protect the eye. It's vital that the surface of the eye (the cornea) remains constantly moist, so the eyelid is responsible for spreading the tear film evenly across the surface. When we sleep, the eyelids don't simply block out light, they keep the cornea from drying out.