Do Eyes Move in Sleep?
Yes, eye movement during sleep occurs, but it depends on the sleep stage.
Humans cycle through two main sleep types: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During non-REM sleep, eye movements slow and eventually stop. However, during REM sleep, your eyes remain closed but move rapidly. This rapid eye movement (REM) is characteristic of this sleep phase, and is associated with dreaming. [^1, ^2, ^3, ^7]
Multiple sources corroborate this, noting that the rapid eye movements during REM sleep are not simply random actions for lubrication, but likely related to the dream imagery. [^4, ^5, ^9] While the exact reason for these movements remains under investigation [^6], the association with dreaming suggests a deeper connection. Some research even suggests the eye movements may mirror the gaze direction within the dream itself. [^4]
Understanding REM Sleep Eye Movements
The rapid eye movements in REM sleep are not simply random twitching; they are a key feature of this sleep stage and are linked to the brain activity associated with dreaming. [^10] The eyes move in various directions during REM sleep, reflecting the dynamic visual experiences of the dream. Conversely, during non-REM sleep, characterized by deeper, more restful sleep, eye movements are significantly reduced or absent. [^1, ^2, ^3, ^7]
The relationship between eye movements and dreaming in REM sleep is an active area of research, with ongoing efforts to understand the precise nature of this link. [^4, ^6]
[^1]: AllAboutVision.com, What Do Your Eyes Do While You're Sleeping?
[^2]: Cleveland Clinic, Sleep: What It Is, Why It's Important, Stages, REM & NREM
[^3]: WebMD, Stages of Sleep: REM & Non-REM Sleep
[^4]: UCSF, Eye Movements in REM Sleep Mimic Gazes in the Dream World
[^5]: Reddit, eli5: why do our eyes move during sleep? What biological purpose...
[^6]: Medical News Today, What do rapid eye movements during sleep mean?
[^7]: Source from prompt: While you're asleep, you repeatedly cycle through two main types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) and rapid eye movement (REM). During non-REM sleep, your eye movements slow down and eventually stop. In REM sleep, your eyes remain closed but move rapidly. Dreaming happens during REM sleep.
[^8]: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, Definition of rapid eye movement sleep
[^9]: Science Focus, Why do our eyes move when we sleep?
[^10]: Mayo Clinic, REM sleep behavior disorder - Symptoms and causes
