Watery or painful eyes in the morning?
Have you woke up with eye pain or irritation? Typically, morning eye pain that occurs sporadically throughout the year can be linked to one of two conditions. It could be a very painful Recurrent Corneal Erosion when the surface layer of the cornea sloughs off. It could also be a condition called lagophthalmos, occurring when your eyes do not stay tightly shut while you are sleeping. Both conditions can manifest in different ways such as:
- Watery eyes in the morning
- Foreign body sensation
- Light sensitivity lasting more than an hour after waking
- Eyes not opening easily
- Frequent blinking (often observed by others)
Many people live with morning eye discomfort but have never been diagnosed because their eyes are not bothered every day or the issue has already improved by the time they make it to the doctor. It may be difficult for the doctor to see evidence of a corneal erosion or lagophthalmos if it last happened weeks ago and sometimes the diagnosis may be made based on patient recollection of symptoms and frequency.
With Recurrent Corneal Erosion or Lagophthalmos¸, there are treatments that can be prescribed by your eye doctor to significantly improve your morning eye comfort and get back to living your best life. Contact your Optometrist at Suburban Eye Care today to schedule an evaluation of your eye health and discuss this condition further.
by Dr. Brett Arnold OD
Associate Optometrist at Suburban Eye Care