Worried about my 5 year old tonight

[Changethesettings]

I’ve just been in to check on my 5 year old like I normally do before bed and I noticed one of his eyes is not completely closed, it’s partially open. Even though he’s asleep.
Is this something to be concerned about? I haven’t noticed it before. Of course my anxious brain leaps to the worst case scenario of a brain tumour or something.

And they haven’t come back to answer ☹️

Most of us said it was completely normal so try and focus on that.
If you are worried then take him to the doctor would be the best course of action. The one person who said to keep an eye on him is just a random person on the internet, just like the rest of us. Also some people say ‘keep an eye on it’, just as a saying, rather than because they have an answer IYSWIM.

From what I've read, It's perfectly normal. It's has a name. Nocturnal lagophthalmos. Apparently around 20% sometimes sleep with one or both eyes open. It seems to only rarely be a problem, that's when the eyes are wide open & can get very dry.
A partly open eye is nothing to worry about.
But, if it happens again & you're concerned, ( What? A mum worrying!) phone your GP or Practice nurse for reassurance.
During the day. 🙂It's absolutely not an emergency.

I suppose I’m just worried about a brain tumour or other neurological issue effecting his facial nerves. He doesn’t seem to have dry eyes in the morning, so maybe it closes fully at some point in the night.

He doesn’t have any worrying or concerning symptoms during the daytime either.

Why on earth would you touch the actual eye??

You’re not prodding their eyes, it’s gently closing an eyelid fgs. What about covering a small child with their duvet if they’ve kicked it off, or moving them if they’ve rolled to the edge of the bed-do you disapprove of that as well?

I assume the 'keep a close eye on him' comment was a joke?

When I was a teenager, my mum and dad fostered a little girl who always slept with both eyes half open. Apparently her older brother did the same thing.

Mum and dad didn't tell me the little girl did this, so the first time I was sent to wake her from her nap I momentarily thought she was dead when I saw her lying there all limp with half-open, unfocussed eyes.

I wouldn’t touch it, no. They have kicked it off for a reason, probably because they are hot. If they wake up cold, they can pull it back. Why do we need to be fussing and intervening if the kid is sleeping just fine?

My dd has always done it. She's 27 now. It scared her friends during sleepovers

Its really rather simple

If you are worried
Take your child to the doctor!

If you have never seen it in your child before and you are concerned then noone can give you reassurance here!

A mother know their child best

We are just randoms on the internet

It’s really normal, maybe don’t google things like this especially if you’re prone to panicking.

Thanks for all the replies. He hasn’t complained of sore eyes or anything today.

Goodness what a load of daft replies. I mean obviously don't touch the eye but fgs the panic over eyelids is hilarious. It's a side issue.

I think what's going on here is confusion as to a whether a person is sleeping or unconscious.
If there's some sort of concern or relevant medical history, simply wake the child or person to make sure they are ok. I'm medical.

And if they are not ok or something is not right seek medical attention!