Lack of Sleep
Not getting enough sleep or getting poor-quality sleep is also another of the many causes of sunken eyes. Apparently, the lack of sleep weakens the muscles surrounding the eyes. This condition usually causes fluid build-up and swelling in the eye area, leading to loss of collagen and elasticity under the eyes. Sleep deprivation (SD) may also cause under-eye swelling and discoloration of the delicate skin below the eyes.
On top of sunken eyes, sleep deprivation induces tear hyperosmolarity and reduced tear secretion, which triggers other conditions, including disruption of the eye’s lipid layer, eye discomfort, grittiness, and epithelial damage. Moreover, lack of sleep leads to hormonal and neurochemical changes in the body, leading to altered cellular responses, oxidative stress to the surrounding eye tissues, and increased levels of stress hormones.
Though lack of sleep and sleep deprivation are common occurrences these days, getting at least seven hours of sleep every day is recommended to avoid discoloration, darkening, and swelling of the under-eye area.
