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...but suddenly I wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night with my eyes stuck closed. Not in "eyelashes stuck together," but literally my eyeball is stuck to my eyelid... Sometimes both, but usually just (the same) one. When I try to open them, it hurts like heck! Then it finally unsticks, my eyes start watering like crazy, and that's the end of me getting any sleep for awhile. You can actually get a corneal abrasion from this. I get that these are the "dry eyes" you hear about in the commercials and I need to use some fake tears at bedtime, but why all of a sudden would one develop this? Is it an age thing???
Funny timing for your question. I was just talking about this at length with a family friend. She has "dry eye". She's commented for years that it has gotten worse with age. Apparently tear production decreases as you get older and the balance of mucus, oil, and water in tears also changes. It can be affected by all sorts of things including menopause, medications, thyroid changes, nutrition, etc. Obviously temporary changes in air humidity, airborne irritants play into it too. Get your eyes checked. Better safe than sorry. The wrong eye drops might cover up a problem instead of treat it.
I had a similar issue with unusually dry eyes - where in the morning I had to use my finger to help break the suction in order to open my left eye. Also had an issue with my right eye, but, not quite as bad
The sudden change where my dry eyes got really bad was when my cataracts got to the point where my eye surgeon said they were to the point I should have cataract surgery.
See your ophthalmologist to have your eyes checked.
PS: fake tears at bedtime just results in residue on your eyelashes in the morning. You end up rubbing and irritating your eyes even more to get the residue off. If you use fake tears do it well before you go to sleep.
"An inflammation of the eyelid that affects the eyelashes or tear production.
Blepharitis commonly occurs when the tiny oil glands of the inner eyelid become inflamed. It often occurs along with other skin conditions or allergies.
Symptoms include red, itchy eyelids that may look greasy and crusted. Dry eyes also are a symptom.
Treatments include cleaning the eyelids, antibiotic or steroid eyedrops, and treating underlying conditions."
Do you have a noticeable bump on your eyelid(s)? That could be a chalazion, which is painful.
I believe they both occur due to the oil glands getting clogged or bacteria. In my case, I had a chalazion that seemed to crop up after I started using a night-time moisturizer. I stopped right away and used warm compresses on my eyelid a couple of times a day, making sure when I washed my face before bed, to pay extra attention to washing both eyelids. It took a few weeks for the bump to finally heal.
If you are an eye makeup user, it's especially important to make sure you remove all of it before bed.
I have seen specialized eyelid wipes sold at Target and CVS.
...but suddenly I wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night with my eyes stuck closed. Not in "eyelashes stuck together," but literally my eyeball is stuck to my eyelid... Sometimes both, but usually just (the same) one. When I try to open them, it hurts like heck! Then it finally unsticks, my eyes start watering like crazy, and that's the end of me getting any sleep for awhile. You can actually get a corneal abrasion from this. I get that these are the "dry eyes" you hear about in the commercials and I need to use some fake tears at bedtime, but why all of a sudden would one develop this? Is it an age thing???
Anyone else?
Ouch! Are you by any chance sleeping under a ceiling fan or have one blowing on you as you sleep? I can't say I've ever had the experience you describe, but I wake up at night sometimes with my eyes feeling like pebbles in my head. I sleep with a ceiling fan on full blast, and that, along with some of the medication I take have a side effect of drying out the mucus membranes, and the eyes. I use lubricating eye drops during the night, as many times as I need to, and that helps.
You don't want to get a corneal abrasion- my husband has had those, and they're intensely painful.
yep, dry eyes due to Meibomian (oil) glands being blocked. I told my eye doctor, my eyes are watering - she said, that's one of the symptoms of dry eye. What?! Yes, because when there is not enough oil in the tears, the eye tries to overcompensate with the watery tears. The oil in the tears keeps them from evaporating.
Hot compresses as many times a day as you can stand. I am also a sufferer.
I have dry eyes at night from lasik. Use GenTeal Tears Lubricant Eye Ointment (the ointment). (I squeeze a small bit in the corner of each eye). Problem solved.
OP,
As you can see from the responses thus far - you need to determine what is causing your dry eyes before you determine how to treat the problem. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
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Originally Posted by otterhere
...but suddenly I wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night with my eyes stuck closed. Not in "eyelashes stuck together," but literally my eyeball is stuck to my eyelid... Sometimes both, but usually just (the same) one. When I try to open them, it hurts like heck! Then it finally unsticks, my eyes start watering like crazy, and that's the end of me getting any sleep for awhile. You can actually get a corneal abrasion from this. I get that these are the "dry eyes" you hear about in the commercials and I need to use some fake tears at bedtime, but why all of a sudden would one develop this? Is it an age thing???
Anyone else?
Happened to me also. Apparently, if you are over 55, this is a "thing". I had it recently. It sucks. More bad news, once you have it, it's more likely to return. Do see a Dr, to make sure it is what I think. I did.
I keep cleaning pads from a natural food store in my house at all times. I will look for the brand and name if you want.
Nutrient deficiencies are associated with dry eye: omega-3, A, D and B12. Adequate dietary amounts of these are needed to produce tears and lubricate your eyes. Omega-3 is needed for the meibomian glands to produce the oily part of tears, and it soothes inflammation. Low B12 is associated with severe dry eye; this one helps to repair corneal abrasions too.
Certain medications are associated with dry eyes also. If you aren't taking them, you may be deficient in one or more of these nutrients. If adequate amounts are included in your diet, your absorption may have declined and supplements may be required.
Last edited by SimplySagacious; 07-21-2021 at 08:27 AM..
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