Difficulty opening my eye after waking up

[Libby63]

For the past few weeks, I have noticed that when I wake up through the night to go to the bathroom and then again after waking up in the morning, my right eyelid won't open at first.  It seems to resolve itself after I have been awake for a few minutes, with no noticable drooping afterwards.  I have no discharge around my eye.  I had cataract surgery last year on both eyes and now have 20/20/ vision and have had no problems at all, so I don't think this is related to my surgeries.  I have been diagnosed with dry eye and use drops during the day.  This just concerns me, as it seems to be my eye muscle preventing my eye from opening.  I plan to see an opthamologist as soon as possible.  Meantime, just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what might be the cause.  Appreciate any responses.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Libby63]

I will certainly read the paper you wrote.  The gel drops are working great and no more problems with my eye..  I also plan to get a humidifier for my bedroom.  Many thanks for your advice.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Glad for the happy news.  You might also read the paper I wrote o dry eyes. It can be found on this page under Today's Pulse. Third blue dot from the left as you scroll through the papers.
JCH MD

[Libby63]

Dr. Hagan,  I used the gel last night and also turned off my ceiling fan.  This morning when I woke up, my eye opened easily.  I am so thankful for you advice.  Really happy I came across this website.  Will recommend to my friends.  Again, thank you!

[Libby63]

Thank you so very much for responding to my question.  I do sleep with the ceiling fan on, but will stop that.  My husband picked up some GenTeal jel for me today, as I have never tried that.  I had never experienced not being able to open my eye when I would wake up in the morning until just a few weeks ago.  I was starting to get concerned that it could be something serious.  Thank you so much for your help!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

97% of the time its dry eyes. Do not sleep with a fan or air blowing over your face. Put a humidifier in your bedrood and keep the humidity at about 45-50%, use a relative humidity gauge to measure. Drops will not last all night use a GEL like genteal gel or refresh liquigel or systane gel at bedtime or use an ointment like duolube, or duratears or refresh PM.

JCH MD