The Sandpaper Lesson
Waking up at 3:00 AM with a throbbing, white-hot pain in my “good” eye is not my favorite memory. My first instinct, the one we all have, was to immediately rub it to make the stinging stop. When I got to the doctor, she pleaded with me to :
“Never, ever rub it. It looks like you took a piece of sandpaper to your cornea.”
Prosthetic eye sleep safety is so important!
For those of us in the single eye life, protecting our remaining vision isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a mission. I realized that when my prosthetic eye opens in my sleep, my good eye follows, leaving it vulnerable to blankets, pillows, or even my own hands. That one night of “sandpaper” pain was enough to make me a lifelong believer in the soft cotton eye mask.
Why use an eye mask?
- Physical Barrier: It keeps your eyelids securely closed so you don’t wake up with a dry, exposed cornea.
- The “No-Rub” Zone: It acts as a reminder to your hands in the middle of the night that your eyes are off-limits.
- Peace of Mind: You (and your husband!) can sleep soundly knowing your vision is tucked away safely.
My Advice
Protect yourself from that burning, throbbing scare in the middle of the night, don’t wait for the sandpaper moment. Find a mask that feels like a hug for your face and wear it every single night!
I NEVER sleep without an eye mask now!
Protecting your good eye and prosthetic requires more than just careful handling. A soft cotton sleep mask ensures your eyelids stay closed to prevent dryness and “sleep scratches,” while a satin pillowcase minimizes friction against sensitive skin and delicate lash lines.