The Von Sallmann Lecture 1996: an ophthalmological explanation of REM sleep.
The hypothesis is advanced that the purpose of the eyeball movements during REM sleep is to stir the aqueous humor behind the closed lids and so avoid the risk that its stagnation could cause corneal anoxia. The relevance of the hypothesis to evolutionary biology and intensive care nursing is discussed.
Maurice
D M
DM
Columbia University, Department of Ophthalmology, 630 W. 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000502:physiology*; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*
D010100:Oxygen